Moga (Gurpreet Singh) — The law and order situation in Punjab has come under intense scrutiny once again following the brutal murder of a village head in Moga district on Friday, March 6, 2026. Harvinder Singh Happy, the sitting Sarpanch of Patton village, was fatally shot by unidentified assailants in Baghapurana, marking the second targeted killing of a local political leader in the province within a single month.
According to local authorities, the incident occurred while Happy was positioned near a petrol pump on the Kotkapura Road. Eyewitnesses reported that a group of armed individuals travelling in a Toyota Fortuner intercepted the Sarpanch and opened fire indiscriminately. Happy sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was rushed to a nearby hospital by bystanders. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after admission.
The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Moga reached the crime scene to oversee the initial investigation and coordinated a massive manhunt for the suspects. Preliminary police reports suggest that the shooting was likely the result of a long-standing personal enmity, though investigators are currently exploring all possible motives. Forensic teams have secured the area, and officials are meticulously scanning CCTV footage from surrounding establishments to identify the vehicle and the perpetrators involved in the brazen daylight attack.
This latest killing has sent shockwaves through the Baghapurana region, fueling public anxiety regarding the rising frequency of violent crime and robberies across Punjab. The murder follows a similarly violent incident last month where Harbinder Singh, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Sarpanch from Thathian Mahantan, was gunned down during a wedding celebration at Sidhu Farm in Sheron village. In that case, the assailants opened fire in front of numerous guests, killing the leader on the spot while he was accompanied by his brother.
Opposition leaders and local residents have voiced growing concerns over what they describe as a deteriorating security environment. As the police continue their search for the Fortuner-borne attackers, the Moga administration has increased patrolling in sensitive areas to prevent any further escalation of violence. The recurring nature of these targeted attacks on grassroots leaders has placed significant pressure on the state government to address the perceived gaps in public safety and law enforcement.
