In a shocking incident, Awan Kumar, also known as Sonu Cheema, the sarpanch (village head) of Chabbal village, was fatally shot by two unidentified assailants on Sunday morning. The incident unfolded at a local salon, where Awan was innocuously getting a haircut. Two assailants, their identities still shrouded in mystery, approached him and fired point-blank, leaving him fatally wounded.
The episode transpired around 9 am when Awan Kumar was in the midst of his grooming routine at the salon. The audacity of the attack, taking place in a public space during broad daylight, has shaken the community to its core. Post the attack, Awan was swiftly rushed to the hospital, but the severity of his injuries proved insurmountable, leading to his tragic demise.
The local police have swung into action, launching a manhunt to trace the assailants. As part of their investigative efforts, authorities are meticulously reviewing CCTV footage from the vicinity of the crime scene, hoping to glean vital clues that could unravel the motive behind this heinous act.
Preliminary investigations have unearthed a simmering feud that might have fueled the brutal attack. Awan Kumar found himself entangled in a contentious dispute with Amritpal Bath, a resident of Germany. The roots of this animosity were further exposed through threats directed at Awan Kumar on social media platforms merely days before the fatal incident.
Vijay, the salon manager, provided a chilling account of the sequence of events. He revealed that a young man entered the salon, seeking a beard trim. Vijay, the manager, informed him of a brief wait, during which the individual stood nearby. Once Awan Kumar’s haircut concluded, he moved to a waiting area. It was in this vulnerable moment that the assailant fired two shots into Awan Kumar's abdomen, causing him to crumple inside the salon. Prompt action by those present ensured a hasty transportation of Awan Kumar to the hospital.
CCTV footage has proven instrumental in piecing together the events leading up to the attack. The footage corroborates that the assailants arrived at the scene on a motorcycle. While one stayed outside, keeping the vehicle ready for a swift getaway, the other executed the assault inside the salon before both fled the scene on the waiting motorcycle.
The unfolding tragedy takes on an added layer of complexity with the revelation of Awan Kumar's political affiliations. Over the years, he traversed through different political landscapes, initially aligning with the Akali Dal before switching to the Congress in 2017. In a subsequent move, he joined the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in 2021. The political dynamics, intertwined with personal disputes, paint a multifaceted backdrop to this unfortunate incident.
The police are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of justice. As the investigation intensifies, the community grapples with the repercussions of this act of violence, urging for swift action against the perpetrators.
Tarn Taran SSP Ashwani Kapoor said that there had been a longstanding feud between Awan Kumar and Amritpal Singh Bath, who had filed several cases against the former. Bath, currently residing in Germany, had accused Awan Kumar of various offenses.