Congress leader and Punjabi singer Shubhdeep Singh Sidhu (28), better known by his stage name Sidhu Moose Wala, was shot dead in Mansa on Sunday, a day after his security was scaled down by the state police. Police said that the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and a Canada-based gangster have claimed responsibility for the attack. The incident took place a day after Punjab withdrew the security of 424 people, including Moose Wala.
The popular singer was earlier protected by four armed personnel; the cover was scaled down to two armed guards. According to the police, the attack took place around 5.30 pm when Moose Wala, along with his cousin Gurpreet Singh and friend Gurwinder Singh, was driving in a jeep to Jawaharke village in Mansa. Moose Wala’s SUV was intercepted by two vehicles and it was sprayed with about 30 rounds of bullets. He was found slumped on his seat and bleeding heavily. He was rushed to hospital where doctors declared him brought dead.
Addressing a press conference, Punjab director general of police VK Bhawra said Moose Wala’s killing is a result of inter-gang rivalry, adding that Lawrence Bishnoi’s gang and Canada-based gangster Goldy Brar are involved. He said the murder seems to be in retaliation to Youth Akali Dal leader Vicky Middukhera’s murder in Mohali last year as one of Moose Wala’s manager was named as a conspirator in the case. He added that a three-member special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to investigate the matter.
“Moose Wala had four commandos from the Punjab Police, but two of them were withdrawn from his security temporarily due to Ghalughara Diwas (Operation Bluestar anniversary). He denied taking the two remaining commandos. He even had a private bulletproof vehicle but did not use it today,” said Bhawra. IG, Faridkot range, PK Yadav, who is camping at Mansa, said an SIT comprising superintendent of police (SP-investigation), Mansa, Dharamvir Singh; DSP (investigation), Bathinda, Vishwajeet Singh; and CIA incharge, Mansa, Pirthpal Singh, has been formed. Police have also recovered vehicles used by the assailants and detained more than six persons. It is suspected the assailants fled in some other vehicle.