Mohali Kabaddi Murder: Shooters' Elaborate Six-State Escape Route Exposed
Police have uncovered a meticulously planned escape route used by shooters who killed a kabaddi player in Mohali last December. The shooters executed a vanishing act that spanned six Indian states, leaving authorities scrambling in a nationwide manhunt.
The Fatal Attack During Kabaddi Match
On December 15, 2025, gunmen targeted Kanwar Digvijay Singh, popularly known as Rana Balachauria, during a kabaddi match in Mohali's Sohana area. The assailants fired multiple bullets at the victim before fleeing the scene with accomplices' help.
Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police Harmandeep Singh Hans revealed that the shooters initially escaped on a motorcycle but quickly abandoned the vehicle to avoid detection. This marked the beginning of an elaborate cross-country evasion attempt.
The Six-State Escape Trail
SSP Hans detailed the shooters' remarkable journey across multiple states. The two main accused, identified as Karan Pathak alias Karan Defaulter and Aditya Kapoor alias Makhan, first traveled to Panipat after the shooting.
From Panipat, they switched taxis to reach Delhi. In the national capital, they boarded a train heading to Mumbai. After a brief stop in Mumbai, the accused continued their journey to Bengaluru, where they stayed for several days.
The fugitives then moved to Kolkata, traveled further to Siliguri, and returned to Kolkata in what police believe was a deliberate attempt to mislead investigators. This complex route stretched across Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and West Bengal.
Police Breakthrough and Arrests
Mohali Police finally tracked down the accused in Kolkata. A special team led by CIA DSP Rajanparminder Singh arrested three key suspects, including one shooter, from Howrah Railway Station.
SSP Hans confirmed that nine suspects have been arrested so far in the case. However, one of the two main shooters remains absconding, with police continuing their search operations.
International Conspiracy Uncovered
Investigations reveal that foreign-based gangsters orchestrated the murder. Balwinder Singh alias Donny Bal and Amarjit Singh alias Khabba, operating from abroad, directed the entire operation according to police findings.
The arrested shooter has been identified as Karan Pathak, a 23-year-old resident of Nimal Mandi in Amritsar with native links to Uttar Pradesh. Police confirmed that Karan, along with Aditya, fired the fatal shots at Rana Balachauria.
Detailed Planning and Logistics
Police discovered that the shooters lived in a rented accommodation in Kharar where they planned the murder. The conspiracy began in October 2025, with accused persons staying in various hotels across Chandigarh, Kalka, Zirakpur, and Kharar during the planning phase.
One accused arranged complete logistical support, including boarding, lodging, transportation, and handling of funds sent from abroad. This sophisticated support system enabled the elaborate escape operation.
Key Accomplices and Their Roles
Among those arrested earlier is Tarandeep Singh, a 25-year-old Ludhiana resident who was present near the crime scene with a motorcycle and facilitated the shooters' initial escape.
Sukhsherpal Singh alias Akash Uppal, a 22-year-old close relative of gangster Amarjit Singh alias Khabba, played a crucial role in planning the murder. Davinder Singh alias Tinka, a cab driver from Panchkula, arranged taxis and coordinated the interstate movement of the accused.
Other arrested individuals include:
- Ashdeep Singh
- Jugraj Singh alias Jagga
- Mandeep Singh alias Mota
- Gagandeep Singh alias Karan Sohal
Another accused, Harpinder Singh alias Middi, was earlier killed in a police encounter in the Lalru area.
Previous Attempts and Ongoing Investigation
SSP Hans revealed that this was not the first attempt on Balachauria's life. The kabaddi player survived two earlier assassination attempts at different locations before the fatal attack in Mohali.
Police continue their sustained efforts to arrest the absconding shooter and remaining associates. All arrested accused were produced before the court on Wednesday and taken on police remand for further investigation.
The case highlights the sophisticated methods employed by criminal networks and the challenges faced by law enforcement in tracking cross-state fugitive movements.
