Murder of Makhu shopkeeper solved; Two Rajasthan-based shooters held in J&K

Ferozepur, June 7, 2026: Less than a week after the broad daylight murder of Makhu shopkeeper Gurcharan Singh Gaba sent shockwaves across the border district, the Punjab Police, in a joint operation with the Anti Gangster Task Force (AGTF) and Jammu & Kashmir Police, have arrested two alleged shooters accused of carrying out the killing.

Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said the arrested accused have been identified as Vishnu Kumar, a resident of Roopbas in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan, and Rahul Mahawar, a resident of Anantpura in Kota district of Rajasthan. Police teams recovered a .30 bore Beretta pistol and 10 live cartridges from their possession.

The DGP said, preliminary investigations revealed that Vishnu Kumar has a criminal background involving extortion, robbery, theft and violations of the Arms Act. He was also carrying a cash reward of Rs 10,000 announced by the Rajasthan Police. Further investigations are underway.

Sharing details of the operation, ADGP (AGTF) Promod Ban said that AGTF Punjab launched a special operation, codenamed “Hill Trap”, under the supervision of DSP Rajan Parminder Singh soon after the murder. During extensive raids conducted in Rajasthan, police developed specific intelligence suggesting that the accused were hiding in Jammu and Kashmir.

Acting on the inputs, teams of AGTF Punjab, Ferozepur Police and Jammu & Kashmir Police launched a joint operation and intercepted the accused at a naka near Police Station Kud on the Patnitop-Kud Road. The accused allegedly attempted to escape after spotting the police teams but were apprehended after a swift chase.

SSP Ferozepur Bhupinder Singh Sidhu said investigations are now focused on exposing the larger conspiracy behind the murder. Police are probing the role of individuals who may have planned, funded or otherwise facilitated the crime.
A case under FIR No. 111 dated June 1, 2026, has already been registered at Police Station Makhu under Sections 103 and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act.

It may be recalled that Gurcharan Singh Gaba, owner of Gaba General Store in Makhu, was shot dead on June 1 when two motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire on him in the town's main market area, triggering panic among local residents.