The Uttarakhand Police has made significant progress in the investigation into the murder of Baba Tarsem Singh, the Dera kar seva chief at Nanakmatta Gurdwara in Udham Singh Nagar district. At least three to four individuals have been detained in connection with the incident, and authorities have identified the two assailants responsible for the attack based on CCTV footage.
Baba Tarsem Singh was fatally shot on the premises of the Nanakmatta Sahib Gurdwara by two assailants riding a motorcycle. The shrine, situated approximately 50 km from Rudrapur, holds great significance as a revered Sikh site along the Rudrapur-Tanakpur route in Udham Singh Nagar district.
Among the detained suspects, one individual named Sarabjit, aged 40 and with a prior criminal record, had previously been arrested for severing the hand of an individual who allegedly touched Guru Granth Sahib with unwashed hands. Hailing from Punjab, Sarabjit faced charges for issuing religiously motivated threats. Another suspect identified as Bittu hails from Uttarakhand.
Both Sarabjit and Bittu had been residing near the Dera for several days before committing the crime. They were identified through CCTV footage and the ID cards they provided while staying at a local hotel.
The Uttarakhand Police has formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT), comprising personnel from the Special Task Force and local law enforcement, to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident. The Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, has expressed his intent to attend the last rites of Baba Tarsem Singh, and precautionary measures, including the deployment of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), have been taken in the area.
During his visit to pay respects to Baba Tarsem Singh's family, Chief Minister Dhami, accompanied by Union Minister of State for Defence and Tourism Ajay Bhatt, expressed his condolences and vowed to ensure that the perpetrators are swiftly brought to justice.
