Batala dispute turns deadly: One killed, several injured in firing at Simbal Chowk
Babushahi Bureau
Batala (Punjab), June 5, 2026: A dispute between two groups in Batala's Simbal Chowk escalated into a violent gunfight on Friday, leaving one person dead and three to four others injured.
According to police, the clash reportedly began over an argument related to the removal of a vehicle. The verbal altercation soon turned violent, with members of both groups allegedly opening fire on each other.
The firing caused panic in the area as gunshots rang out in the busy locality. One person died on the spot, while several others sustained injuries and were rushed to hospital for treatment.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Batala, Dr. Mehtab Singh, who visited the scene, said preliminary investigations have not revealed any old rivalry or prior enmity between the two sides.
"There is no indication so far of any previous dispute between the groups. An argument broke out over an issue, which subsequently led to the firing. One person died at the scene, while individuals from both sides were injured and admitted to hospital," the SSP said.
Police teams have secured the area and launched an investigation to determine the exact sequence of events and identify those involved in the shooting. Further legal action is being initiated based on the findings of the probe.
Authorities are also examining CCTV footage and collecting evidence from the scene as part of the investigation.