When big-fat weddings become soft targets for gangs | Chandigarh News

NEW DELHI: A spate of shootings at wedding venues across Punjab including the killing of an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) sarpanch in Amritsar and a deadly gang shootout at a Ludhiana banquet hall has once again brought the spotlight on the state’s deepening gun culture and the failure to secure even private social gatherings. Police officials said the repeated use of firearms at such events reflects not just gang rivalries but also lax enforcement of firearm bans, poor venue security, and the growing normalisation of guns in social spaces.

Brutal killing of AAP sarpanchThe most shocking incident occurred on January 4, 2026, when an AAP sarpanch was shot dead at a wedding venue in Amritsar, sending shockwaves through political and social circles.

According to police, the attack took place shortly after the bride and groom had left the venue. The victim, identified as Singh, 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,” a senior police officer said.Singh was rushed to a hospital in critical condition but succumbed to his injuries. Eyewitnesses told police that panic broke out immediately, with guests running for cover as shots rang out inside the venue.Investigators believe the killing was premeditated and that the victim may have been under surveillance before the wedding. The probe took a more serious turn after a known gangster later claimed responsibility for the murder, raising concerns about targeted attacks on political representatives and community leaders at public events.Police said multiple teams were formed to track the shooters, and CCTV footage from the venue and nearby areas was being analysed.Ludhiana wedding reception erupts in gunfire

An even deadlier 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 — allegedly led by local criminals Ankur and Shubham Mota — attended the same event. What began as a confrontation quickly escalated into indiscriminate firing.Police said 20 to 30 rounds were fired inside the packed hall, where guests included politicians, MLAs, and prominent locals.“There was complete chaos. People ran for their lives as bullets were fired inside the hall,” an officer associated with the probe said.Two innocent guests were killed in the crossfire: Vasu Chopra, a close friend of the groom, and Neeru Chhabra, the groom’s aunt. Another man sustained gunshot injuries and was hospitalised.Multiple FIRs were registered, and police launched a citywide operation to identify all those involved in the shootout.Twist in probeAs investigators pieced together the events of the Ludhiana shooting on November 29, 2025, they stumbled upon a startling revelation. The firearm believed to have been used in the shootout did not belong to any of the gang members.Police said the pistol was licensed to Jatinder Kumar Dawar, who was present at the wedding as a mediator attempting to defuse tensions between the rival groups.

Dawar himself was injured during the firing and admitted to a hospital. His licensed weapon was later recovered from his residence.According to police, Dawar allegedly handed over the pistol to acquaintances at the venue after the firing, possibly to hide the weapon or shield those responsible for the fatal shots. He also allegedly instructed them to clean the firearm.“One of his associates was arrested for tampering with evidence,” an officer said, adding that investigators were still working to establish who actually fired the shots that killed the two guests.Arrests, FIRs and security lapsesIn the days 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 after the attack.Three private security guards deployed at the banquet hall were also taken into custody for allegedly allowing armed men to enter the venue despite the firearm ban.

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Police said several suspects helped shooters flee and provided logistical support after the incident. Raids were conducted across Ludhiana to track down remaining accused.Cases were also 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.Firearm Ban Exists Only on PaperPunjab 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 said.

Photo credit: AI

The Ludhiana case, where multiple weapons were carried into a crowded hall, exposed glaring loopholes in the system. Police said advance intelligence warnings were either ignored or not acted upon.Violence over hookah videoThe 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 CommunitiesFamilies who attended these weddings say 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 concede that preventing such incidents is challenging when rival groups attend the same gathering or when organisers fail to cooperate.

Photo credit: AI

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.