Sikh religious sect head shot dead in Punjab

A Sikh religious sect leader in Punjab Sant Pradhan Singh was gunned down by armed miscreants in Hoshiarpur district of Punjab in the wee hours today, police said.

Unidentified persons armed with AK-47 gun opened fire on head of 'Dera Mai Dass (Nirmale sect)' at Baddon, seriously injurying him, they said.

He succumed to his bullet injuries on way to civil hospital in adjoining Phagwara, the sources said.

On hearing news of the death of the sect head many of his devotees thronged the civil hospital to have a glimpse of him.

Detailing about the incident, they said in wee hours today after offering prayer of Guru Granth Sahib in the hall of the Dera, Sant Pradhan Singh opened its gate.

As soon as he opened the gate some unknown persons, who were standing under the cover of darkness, fired bullets from AK-47 guns of which four bullets hit him.

Before fleeing, the shooters also fired at the rear tyres of the newly purchased car parked there.

SSP Rajesh Aggarwal,on being contacted, said police was investigating into the murder case from all angles.

The police has recovered four empty shells of AK-47 at the site.