A young man celebrating his twentieth birthday was brutally beaten to death in broad daylight at a crowded bus stand in Punjab's Mansa district, sending shockwaves through the local community. The incident, which highlights a recent spate of violent crimes in the state, occurred on Wednesday afternoon in Budhlada.
Birthday Celebration Turns Tragic
The victim, identified as Jashandeep Singh, a resident of Kulheri village, had travelled to Budhlada town with a group of friends to mark his special day. According to police reports, the group arrived by bus. Around 2 pm on January 7, 2026, their celebration was violently interrupted.
Four to five assailants, who arrived at the location in a car, suddenly targeted Jashandeep Singh at the busy Budhlada bus stand. Eyewitnesses and friends stated that the attackers were armed with sticks and sharp-edged weapons. They launched a merciless assault on the young man, leaving him with critical injuries before fleeing the scene in their vehicle.
Police Investigation and Suspected Motive
Singh sustained severe head injuries and collapsed on the spot. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital by his horrified friends, he was declared dead on arrival by the attending doctors.
Senior police officials have indicated that old enmity is a primary angle being considered as the possible motive behind the shocking murder. Kamaldeep Singh, the Station House Officer (SHO) of Budhlada, is leading the investigation into the case.
The police are actively examining CCTV footage from cameras installed in and around the bus stand to identify the attackers and their vehicle. Authorities are also in the process of recording statements from eyewitnesses who were present during the attack. Notably, reports suggest that bystanders at the crowded stand did not intervene to stop the violence. As of the latest updates, no arrests have been made in connection with the crime.
A Pattern of Violence in Punjab
This brutal killing adds to a disturbing series of violent incidents reported from across Punjab in the first week of the new year. The state has witnessed a cluster of targeted attacks:
- January 2: A woman was shot dead inside her home in Kapurthala.
- January 3: A panchayat member was murdered in a shooting in Mog.
- January 4: A sarpanch was killed during a wedding function in Amritsar.
- January 5: A kabaddi player was murdered in Jagraon.
- January 6: Masked men opened fire at a shop in Ludhiana after making ransom demands to the owner.
The murder of Jashandeep Singh in Budhlada has intensified concerns about public safety and law and order, with the community demanding swift action and justice for the young victim whose birthday turned into a nightmare.
