In a brazen claim, a suspect based in the United States has taken responsibility for the shocking daylight murder of a Congress party functionary in Punjab's Moga district. The victim, Umarseer Singh, a former panchayat member and Nestle India employee, was ambushed and shot dead on Saturday morning.
Daylight Ambush in Bhinder Khurd Village
The incident occurred on Saturday morning in Bhinder Khurd village in Moga. Umarseer Singh was commuting to work when his car was intercepted by assailants traveling in a black vehicle. The attackers opened fire indiscriminately, killing him on the spot in what police describe as a well-planned attack.
By Sunday, the case took a dramatic turn when Manpreet Singh, alias Mani Bhinder, a US-based individual, purportedly claimed responsibility for the murder through a social media post. In the post, Bhinder cited "old enmity" as the motive, explicitly stating, "This murder was not for extortion, and we don't kill any innocent."
Political Rivalry and Transnational Links Suspected
Local police have already registered an FIR naming several individuals. The primary suspects include Mani Bhinder and Gagandeep Singh, both believed to be living in the US, along with five others from the area.
According to the victim's brother, Gurwinder Singh, the murder was a coordinated hit. He alleged the involvement of Mani Bhinder and Gagandeep Singh operating from abroad, with the execution carried out locally by Manpreet Singh Bughipuriye and Bhinda Singh. The brother also named local sarpanch Inderpal Singh and one Govinda in the conspiracy.
Police are actively investigating a potential political angle to the crime. Umarseer Singh had recently fielded a relative, Veerpal Kaur, in the upcoming December 14, 2025, panchayat samiti elections. This move is believed to have angered the current sarpanch, Inderpal Singh, who is affiliated with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). Another villager, Balkar Singh, is alleged to have conducted reconnaissance on Umarseer's movements prior to the attack.
Police Investigation Intensifies
Authorities are taking the social media claim seriously. Dharamkot DSP Jaswarinder Singh confirmed that Mani Bhinder was already a named suspect in their FIR. "We have rounded up several individuals for questioning as the investigation intensifies," the DSP stated.
The investigation is now focusing on the transnational links, the alleged political rivalry, and the precise roles of each named individual. The police are piecing together the sequence of events that led to the broad daylight execution, which has sent shockwaves through the local community.
