Parvinder Jhota shot dead by medical store owner in Mansa, Punjab

What happened

On Tuesday morning, Parvinder Singh Jhota entered a medical store in Mansa, Bathinda district, to question the owner about a recent sale of synthetic drugs. A heated exchange escalated when the shopkeeper pulled a firearm and opened fire at close range. The video, streamed live on Facebook, shows the owner firing several rounds that strike Jhota and a companion. Jhota tried to flee, collapsed a short distance away and was taken to Mansa Civil Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Who was involved

• Parvinder Singh Jhota – a volunteer with the anti‑drug brigade, known for exposing drug‑selling pharmacies in Punjab.
• Ashwani Kumar – the pharmacy owner who brandished a weapon and opened fire. Bathinda DIG Harjit Singh confirmed that Kumar has been identified and that police are actively pursuing him.
• Companion – an unnamed individual who sustained serious injuries during the shooting.
• Punjab Police – arrived on the scene after the incident was reported and have begun a formal investigation.
• Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s government – responsible for the state’s anti‑drug campaign, “Yudh Nashean Virudh,” which is now under scrutiny.
• Opposition leaders – Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and Akali Dal MP Bikram Singh Majithia, all of whom condemned the killing and blamed the AAP administration.

Police response and next steps

The Bathinda district police have sealed the pharmacy and filed a First Information Report against Kumar. DIG Harjit Singh said the investigation will include forensic analysis of the video, ballistics testing and witness statements. A special team from the Punjab Police’s crime branch has been tasked with tracking the suspect, who fled the premises after the shooting.

State officials have pledged swift justice. The AAP government, through a spokesperson, reiterated its commitment to “protecting citizens who stand up against narcotics” and assured families of victims that “the rule of law will be upheld.” The administration is also reviewing security protocols for anti‑drug activists, a move aimed at preventing further incidents.

Political reaction

While the police focus on the criminal investigation, opposition parties used the episode to highlight perceived gaps in law and order. Congress leader Raja Warring posted on X, calling the killing a “direct consequence of the Bhagwant Mann government’s failure to maintain law and order.” Akali Dal chief Badal described the incident as a reminder of a “jungle raj” and dismissed the state’s anti‑drug drive as a “gimmick.” Majithia added that five police personnel have been shot dead in Punjab this year, alleging a pattern of silencing anti‑drug voices.

These statements, though politically charged, have not altered the police’s procedural focus. The investigation remains under the jurisdiction of the Punjab Crime Branch, with no indication that the case will be transferred to a higher authority at this stage.

What this means for Punjab’s anti‑drug efforts

Jhota’s death underscores the dangerous environment faced by community volunteers confronting drug networks. The incident has reignited calls for stronger protection mechanisms for whistle‑blowers and a review of how anti‑drug operations are coordinated with law‑enforcement agencies. The state’s flagship campaign, “Yudh Nashean Virudh,” is now being measured against the ability to safeguard its activists.

If the suspect is apprehended quickly, officials hope the case will demonstrate the government’s capacity to act decisively against criminal elements, reinforcing public confidence in the rule of law.

Key numbers

• Date of incident: 13 October 2026
• Location: Mansa, Bathinda district, Punjab
• Shots fired: multiple rounds (exact count not disclosed)
• Police personnel reportedly killed in Punjab this year (claimed by opposition): five

The investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as authorities progress.