n a chilling incident that has sent shockwaves through Moga district, a local Congress leader, Baljinder Singh Balli (45), was fatally shot at his residence in Dala village late Monday night. The assailants, believed to be two in number, arrived on a motorcycle, with one entering Balli's home while the other kept watch outside.
Hours after the gruesome incident, fugitive gangster Arshdeep Singh Gill, notoriously known as Arsh Dala, claimed responsibility for Balli’s murder through a Facebook post. Dala, in his post written in Punjabi, attributed his actions to Balli’s alleged involvement in crime and harassment of his mother. The post alluded to a longstanding vendetta fueled by personal and political grievances.
In disturbing CCTV footage capturing the incident, a gunman can be seen forcefully entering the premises just as Balli, also known as ‘namberdar’ in the community, stood on his porch. Without hesitation, the assailant opened fire, striking Balli twice — once in the chest and once in the thigh. The injured leader was rushed to the hospital, but tragically, he succumbed to his injuries, according to the police.
Arsh Dala, who also hails from the same village (Dala), is believed to be presently hiding in Canada. The post, loosely translated, read: “I am responsible for the murder of Balli in Dala village because it was my own village’s politics which had made me tread this path. This man (Balli) was responsible for keeping my mother in CIA (police) custody for a week and he also got my friends arrested. He was hand in glove with police… and got my home vandalized. He destroyed my home just to gain his own afsar shaahi… My life’s aim was not to live my own life but to kill him. If we wished, we would have killed his child too but that child was nowhere at fault…. those who are sympathizing with him, their homes are also not far for us…”
Notably, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had designated Arsh Dala a terrorist earlier this year due to his involvement in a range of heinous crimes, including murder, extortion, targeted killings, and terrorist activities.
Moga's Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) J Elanchezhian maintained that an investigation was underway. At the same time, he said that the authenticity of the Facebook post purportedly from Arsh Dala's account was being verified, and an FIR for murder was being filed at the Mehna police station.
Reacting on the shocking incident, senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa and Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring vehemently condemned the assassination.
Bajwa, in his post on X (formerly Twitter), said: “In a harrowing incident, the Congress president from Ajitwal block of district Moga, Baljinder Singh Balli (45) was shot dead at his residence today. I condemn this incident in the strongest possible terms. My heart goes out to the family of the victim.”
Also criticizing the state's law and order situation, Bajwa blamed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government for its deterioration. He also called for immediate action by the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the home portfolio, and warned of a struggle if the culprits were not apprehended promptly.
“Ever since @AAPPunjab formed the government in Punjab, the law and order situation has collapsed completely. Gun crime in the state has been on the rise. CM @BhagwantMann, who also holds the home portfolio is directly responsible for the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. @AAPPunjab govt must swing to action and arrest the culprits. Otherwise, Punjab Congress will launch a struggle,” added Bajwa.
