MOGA — The law and order situation in Punjab has come under intense scrutiny once again following the brutal broad daylight murder of a local village leader in Moga district. On Friday, March 6, 2026, Harvinder Singh Happy, the sitting Sarpanch of Patton village, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Bagha Purana. The incident occurred near a petrol pump on the Kotkapura Road while the victim was reportedly standing in the area. Witnesses stated that armed individuals arriving in a Toyota Fortuner opened indiscriminate fire on the Sarpanch before fleeing the scene at high speed.
Local residents rushed a critically injured Happy to a nearby hospital, but medical professionals declared him dead shortly after arrival. The brazen nature of the attack has sent shockwaves through Bagha Purana and surrounding villages, fostering an atmosphere of fear and insecurity among the public. This latest killing follows the recent high-profile murder of another Aam Aadmi Party Sarpanch, Harbinder Singh, who was shot during a wedding celebration in a neighbouring district last month, further fuelling concerns regarding a potential pattern of targeted violence against grassroots political leaders.
Senior police officials, including the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Moga, arrived at the crime scene promptly to oversee the preliminary investigation. The police have cordoned off the area and are currently scanning footage from various CCTV cameras installed along Kotkapura Road to identify the vehicle and the gunmen involved. Initial findings suggest that the murder may be the result of a long-standing personal enmity, although authorities have emphasized that they are exploring all possible angles, including political rivalries and potential gang-related links.
The Punjab government is facing mounting pressure from opposition parties to address the perceived decline in public safety across the state. While the police have launched a massive manhunt to apprehend the suspects, the recurring nature of such violent crimes has left many questioning the effectiveness of current security measures. As of Friday afternoon, no arrests have been made, but officials maintain that they have active leads that could soon result in a significant breakthrough in the case.
