HARIDWAR: In a shocking crime that has sparked outrage across Haridwar district, a retired Indian Air Force veteran was shot dead after offering a lift to a stranger on Saturday night. The victim, 62-year-old Bhagwan Singh, was travelling with his son when the incident took place on the isolated Nahar Patari road near Bahadrabad.
According to police officers, Bhagwan Singh, a resident of Jamalpur Kala in Kankhal, retired from the Air Force in 2013. On Saturday night, he and his son were on their way to attend a wedding. Around midnight, a man standing on the roadside signalled for a lift. The family, assuming he needed help, allowed him to sit in their vehicle.
However, soon after the journey began, the man turned violent. Without any provocation, he allegedly pulled out a firearm and shot Bhagwan Singh at point-blank range in the temple. The assailant then escaped into the darkness, leaving the victim gravely injured inside the car.
Bhagwan Singh’s son rushed him to a nearby private hospital from where he was referred to Himalayan Hospital in Jolly Grant. Despite efforts by doctors, the veteran succumbed to his injuries.
Haridwar City Superintendent of Police Abhay Pratap confirmed that a murder investigation is underway. He said that the family has reported no prior enmity, suggesting that the attack may have been entirely unprovoked. “We are examining CCTV footage from nearby locations, gathering technical evidence and conducting searches to identify the accused. Several teams have been deployed to ensure an early breakthrough,” he said.
The brutal killing has caused fear and anxiety among residents of Bahadrabad, Kankhal and neighbouring villages. Locals describe the murder as “deeply disturbing” and have demanded enhanced night patrolling along poorly lit stretches of the Nahar Patari route. Many citizens have urged authorities to install streetlights and CCTV cameras to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Forensic experts have collected evidence from the vehicle and the crime site, including fingerprints and ballistic samples. Police are also preparing a sketch of the suspect based on the description provided by the victim’s son.
Community leaders and local representatives have condemned the killing and demanded swift action. They have assured support to the grieving family and called for stronger law-and-order measures in rural and semi-urban pockets of Haridwar district.
Police officials have appealed to residents, transport operators and commuters to share any information that may help identify the attacker. Investigators believe that someone travelling or passing through the area that night might have seen the suspect or noticed unusual activity.
As the manhunt intensifies, the tragic incident has brought focus to rising safety concerns on isolated roads. Residents say the murder has shaken their sense of security and highlighted the risks faced by people travelling late at night. Authorities have assured that additional patrol units will be deployed and that all efforts are being made to track down the killer at the earliest.
Dheeraj reports on governance, public services, jobs, and regional developments across Uttarakhand. He specialises in recruitment news, public-sector updates, and civic issues that impact everyday citizens. His reporting brings accuracy, context, and a grassroots perspective to local journalism.
