Punjab Wedding Shootings Expose Deepening Gun Culture and Security Failures
A series of violent shootings at wedding venues across Punjab has cast a harsh spotlight on the state's escalating gun culture and the alarming inability to secure even private social gatherings. These incidents, which include the fatal attack on an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sarpanch in Amritsar and a deadly gang confrontation at a Ludhiana banquet hall, underscore systemic failures in enforcement and security protocols.
AAP Sarpanch Gunned Down in Amritsar Wedding Attack
The most politically charged incident occurred on January 4, 2026, when an AAP sarpanch was brutally shot dead at a wedding venue in Amritsar. The victim, identified as Singh, the sarpanch of Valtoha village in Tarn Taran district, was standing among guests when armed assailants entered the premises and fired at him from close range.
"He was shot in the head. The assailants were bold and made no effort to conceal their identities," revealed a senior police officer. Singh was rushed to a hospital in critical condition but succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as guests scrambled for cover when shots rang out inside the venue. Investigators believe the killing was premeditated, with the victim possibly under surveillance before the wedding. The case took a more serious turn when a known gangster claimed responsibility for the murder, raising grave concerns about targeted attacks on political representatives and community leaders at public events.
Police have formed multiple teams to track the shooters and are analyzing CCTV footage from the venue and surrounding areas.
Ludhiana Wedding Reception Erupts in Deadly Gang Shootout
An even more tragic episode unfolded earlier on November 29, 2025, during a wedding reception at a banquet hall on Pakhowal Road in Ludhiana. Despite a known rivalry, members of two criminal groups attended the same event, leading to a confrontation that quickly escalated into indiscriminate firing.
Police reported that 20 to 30 rounds were fired inside the packed hall, which hosted politicians, MLAs, and prominent locals. "There was complete chaos. People ran for their lives as bullets were fired inside the hall," recounted an officer associated with the probe.
The crossfire claimed the lives of two innocent guests: Vasu Chopra, a close friend of the groom, and Neeru Chhabra, the groom's aunt. Another man sustained gunshot injuries and was hospitalized. Multiple FIRs were registered, and police launched a citywide operation to identify all those involved.
Shocking Twist: Gun Belonged to Mediator
As investigators pieced together the events of the Ludhiana shooting, they uncovered a startling revelation. The firearm believed to have been used in the shootout did not belong to any gang member but was licensed to Jatinder Kumar Dawar, who was present as a mediator attempting to defuse tensions.
Dawar, who was injured during the firing, allegedly handed over the pistol to acquaintances at the venue after the incident, possibly to hide the weapon or shield those responsible. He also instructed them to clean the firearm. "One of his associates was arrested for tampering with evidence," an officer stated, adding that investigators are still working to establish who fired the fatal shots.
Arrests, FIRs, and Glaring Security Lapses
Following the Ludhiana incident, police arrested Ankur, believed to have fired the first shot, along with four others, including a woman accused of sheltering suspects. Three private security guards deployed at the banquet hall were also taken into custody for allegedly allowing armed men to enter despite the firearm ban.
Cases were registered against the resort management for failing to enforce security checks and against the groom, Varinder Kapoor, for allegedly inviting known criminals to the event. Police conducted raids across Ludhiana to track down remaining accused, highlighting the logistical support provided to shooters after the incident.
Firearm Ban Exists Only on Paper
Punjab has a standing ban on carrying firearms at social gatherings, including weddings. However, police officials admitted that enforcement remains weak and inconsistent. "Responsibility often falls on venue owners and organisers, but there is no foolproof mechanism to ensure compliance," a senior officer conceded.
The Ludhiana case, where multiple weapons were carried into a crowded hall, exposed glaring loopholes in the system. Police noted that advance intelligence warnings were either ignored or not acted upon, revealing critical failures in preventive measures.
Earlier Incident: Violence Over Hookah Video
These recent shootings are part of a disturbing pattern. On October 11, 2025, a wedding in Iqbal Nagar, Ludhiana, descended into violence after a dispute over a secretly recorded hookah video. The argument escalated into a shootout, leaving Bikramjit Singh with three bullet injuries and at least four others wounded. Police registered an FIR against multiple accused and seized video footage from the venue.
Fear Grips Communities as Gun Culture Normalizes
Families who attended these weddings report that the trauma has lingered long after the celebrations ended. Residents fear that rising gun culture and gang rivalries have made even private events unsafe. Police officials acknowledge that preventing such incidents is challenging when rival groups attend the same gathering or when organisers fail to cooperate.
Authorities have called for stricter enforcement of firearm laws, better intelligence sharing, and accountability for venue owners and private security agencies. For many in Punjab, the message from these violent weddings is grim: celebrations are no longer immune from the state's gun problem, and without tighter controls, the line between festivity and fear continues to blur alarmingly.
