A 65-year-old retired PSPCL employee was shot dead in broad daylight in Daudhar Sharki village of Moga district on Thursday afternoon. The fatal confrontation was reportedly triggered by a minor dispute over moving a motorcycle.

The suspect, who has a history of violent behaviour, fled the scene immediately after the shooting and remains at large.

The victim, identified as Nirmal Singh (65), left his home on Thursday to get a haircut at a local barber shop. According to eyewitnesses, the accused, a fellow villager, had parked his Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle right in the middle of the road, blocking the passage. When Nirmal Singh asked the accused to move his motorcycle to the side, a heated argument broke out.

As the verbal altercation escalated, the accused allegedly lost his temper, drew a firearm and fired two shots directly at Nirmal Singh before speeding away from the spot. A severely injured Singh was rushed to the Moga Civil Hospital by his family members and local residents, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The deceased was a retired PSPCL employee and survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters. The accused had returned to the village from Manila, Philippines, just 10 days ago. He is already facing criminal cases related to physical assaults and brawls.

The victim's son, Hardeep Singh, said that he received a frantic call informing that his father had been shot. By the time we reached the hospital, doctors told us he was no more. My father had no enmity, no ongoing disputes and no grudge against anyone in the village. He was simply going for a haircut when he was killed.

Dr Ekamjit Singh, the medical officer on duty at the Moga Government Civil Hospital, confirmed the arrival of the victim. "A patient named Nirmal Singh from Daudhar Sharki village was brought to the emergency ward on Thursday with gunshot wounds. He was brought dead."

Upon receiving information about the murder, a police team rushed to the crime scene and the hospital. The investigating officers confirmed that forensic teams have gathered evidence from the spot. The police are currently recording the statements of the victim's family members and eyewitnesses.