A shocking incident of brazen violence has rocked the sporting world of Punjab after popular Kabaddi player and promoter Rana Balachauria (reportedly also known as Kanwar Digvijay Singh) was fatally shot by unidentified assailants during a tournament in Sohana, Mohali, on Monday evening.
The attack occurred at the Sohana Kabaddi Cup at Sector 79, a ground reportedly packed with spectators and other players. Eyewitnesses recounted a scene of chaos and panic after the gunshots rang out.
Ambushed Under Guise of a Selfie
Sources and preliminary police reports suggest the attackers, believed to be two or three in number, approached Balachauria moments before his match was scheduled to begin. According to some eyewitness accounts, the assailants first requested a selfie with the popular player before suddenly opening fire.
Rana Balachauria sustained critical bullet injuries and was immediately rushed to a nearby private hospital. Sadly, he was declared brought dead upon arrival by doctors.
Gang Claims Responsibility
In a disturbing development, a social media post, allegedly from the Bambiha gang's Ghanashampuria and his associates, quickly surfaced, claiming responsibility for the murder. The post reportedly stated that the attack was an act of revenge, with some sources linking the claim to past violence in the region.
Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harmandeep Singh Hans confirmed the incident, stating that an investigation has been launched. Police teams are currently analyzing CCTV footage and conducting raids at multiple locations to apprehend the perpetrators who fled the scene on a motorcycle, reportedly firing shots into the air to create further panic.
The tragic killing of Rana Balachauria, an influential figure in the Kabaddi circuit, has cast a dark shadow over the sport in Punjab and has intensified concerns over the rising menace of gang violence targeting public figures in the state. The police are working to verify the authenticity of the gang's claim and to ascertain the exact motive behind the targeted killing.
