Two policemen were shot dead by unidentified assailants inside a police outpost in Adhian village of Punjab’s Gurdaspur district, barely a kilometre from the Pakistan border, triggering a high-level security alert.
The victims, both in their early 50s, were found inside the outpost on Thursday morning. Six spent cartridges were recovered from the scene.
Bodies discovered after phone calls went unanswered
According to police, the Dorangala Station House Officer attempted to contact the personnel repeatedly but received no response. The village sarpanch, Kamaljit Singh, was then asked to check on them.
He said that at first glance nothing appeared unusual. “The ASI seemed to be sitting upright on a chair, and the home guard was lying under a quilt. But a closer look revealed something was wrong,” he said.
Senior officers soon reached the spot, and the bodies were sent for post-mortem to the Gurdaspur Civil Hospital.
Terror angle under scrutiny
Posters attributed to an obscure outfit calling itself Tehreek-e-Taliban Hindustan (TTH) surfaced on social media, claiming responsibility. Police said the organisation was previously unfamiliar and its claim is being verified.
Aditya, Senior Superintendent of Police, said all angles are being probed. Sandeep Goel added that possible terror, gangster or cross-border links are under examination.
CCTV cameras installed on the road leading to the post were reportedly non-functional.
Gurdaspur and neighbouring Pathankot have witnessed major terror attacks in the past, heightening concerns over border security. Forensic teams are analysing evidence as the area remains sealed.