Tarn Taran: A violent confrontation between rival groups in Tarn Taran district has left two young men dead, escalating tensions in what appears to be a growing gang rivalry tied to social media conflicts and local influencers.
The shootout occurred near the railway crossing in Kairon village late Monday evening. According to initial reports, two groups exchanged heavy gunfire, with around 8 to 10 rounds fired in total. The victims, identified as 19-year-old Samarpreet Singh of Karamuwala village and Sourav Singh from Marhana, were travelling in a Toyota Fortuner when they were caught in the crossfire.
Samarpreet died shortly after being rushed to a private hospital in Tarn Taran. Sourav, who had been in critical condition, succumbed to his injuries the following afternoon.
Social Media Ties and Rising Tensions
Both victims were reportedly close associates of Punjabi rapper and social media personality Jas Dhaliwal. The deadly clash is believed to be the result of escalating tensions on social media, involving local influencers.
Sources suggest that a recent online post by influencer Mahak Pandori, in which she allegedly shared a controversial video involving Dhaliwal, may have triggered a chain of events. Shortly after the video went viral, Mahak’s home was reportedly attacked, and videos of the assault also surfaced online.
Authorities are investigating whether this incident directly led to the fatal gun battle in Kairon.
Gopi Ghanshampuria Gang Claims Role
In a disturbing development, the Gopi Ghanshampuria gang has allegedly claimed responsibility for the attack via a viral social media post, further heightening fears of an ongoing gang war. The post claimed that one of the deceased was involved in podcasting content related to law enforcement figures. However, official confirmation of this claim has not been provided by authorities.
Police Investigation Underway
Senior police officials, including SP Riputpan Singh, DSP Lavkesh Saini, and several station house officers, reached the crime scene shortly after the incident. A comprehensive investigation is underway, with teams examining surveillance footage and digital evidence to determine the exact motive and identify all individuals involved.
While no official arrests have been made as of now, the accused reportedly fled in vehicles heading towards Patti, and police have launched a manhunt to trace them.
Community on Edge
The brazen daylight shootout has left residents of Tarn Taran and surrounding areas on edge. With gang-related violence increasingly spilling into public spaces and involving online influencers, there are growing concerns about how social media disputes are translating into real-world violence.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid sharing unverified claims and videos online and assured that strict action will be taken against those responsible.
