In a shocking incident in Punjab's Nawanshahr, former militant Rattandeep Singh was fatally shot by unidentified gunmen riding a motorcycle. The attack occurred late Wednesday night, close to a local eatery, known as a dhaba. The assailants, whose identities remain unknown, swiftly fled the scene after the shooting. Authorities are investigating the case, with suspicions pointing towards a notorious gangster from Nawanshahr, known as Gopi, who might have a connection to this heinous act.

Rattandeep Singh, a name that resonated with notoriety, had ties with the now-deceased leader of the Khalistan Commando Force, Paramjit Singh Panjwar. He was not just an ordinary member of the militant group but was considered a close associate of Panjwar. The gravity of his actions and his role within the organization was underlined by the substantial bounty on his head, which was set at Rs 10 lakh.

The backstory of Rattandeep Singh is tinged with violence and cross-border activities. Before meeting his demise, Singh was intricately linked with Paramjit Singh Panjwar. Notably, Panjwar himself was a victim of murder in Pakistan the previous year. Singh's history includes a significant stint in Pakistan, where he resided with Panjwar for several years, engrossed in their militant endeavors. However, his journey took a pivotal turn when he was captured by the authorities in 2014 during a visit to India, marking a significant moment in his life of militancy and crime.

Rattandeep Singh, whose life took a tumultuous path of militancy and crime, was originally from Rohar village located in the Jind district of Haryana. Despite his notorious reputation, he maintained a residence in Karnal. His early life took a drastic turn after his matriculation exams, marking the beginning of his journey into the world of crime and militancy.

As per the records of the Punjab Police, after Rattandeep Singh finished his schooling, he embarked on a journey that would lead him deep into the activities of militant groups. On May 4, 1992, he left for Bangkok, initiating a series of international travels. His movements were swift and secretive, leading him from Bangkok to Germany, and shortly thereafter, to Belgium. By March 1993, Singh had managed to enter Pakistan, using a forged passport to cross international borders clandestinely. His time in Pakistan was significant as he allegedly received arms training twice in a remote area approximately 45 km from Islamabad. During this period, Singh not only honed his militant skills but also served as the driver for Paramjit Singh Panjwar, further embedding himself in the militant network.

Singh's life of crime continued to escalate as he returned to India on July 4, 1996. Shortly after his return, he was implicated in an Arms Act case in his home district of Jind. Although he was released on bail by the end of July 1996, his freedom was short-lived. Singh stayed with his family for a brief period until his involvement in the Chandigarh blast case led to his arrest. His criminal record took a more dramatic turn on July 3, 1999, when he audaciously escaped from police custody, managing to evade law enforcement and remain at large until 2014.

After years of eluding capture and living under the radar, Rattandeep Singh's run from the law finally came to an end. The State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) of the Punjab Police apprehended him on the outskirts of Gorakhpur, a city in eastern Uttar Pradesh, on September 17, 2014. This arrest marked the conclusion of a long and notorious chapter in Singh's life, as he was finally taken into custody after years of absconding.

Koo App Former militant Rattandeep Singh shot dead by unidentified gunmen Rattandeep Singh was considered close to deceased Khalistan Commando Force head Paramjit Singh Panjwar and once carried a bounty of Rs 10 lakh. Yesterday evening Bhindrawala Tiger Force member named, Ratandeep Singh kiIIed by unknown's in #Balachaur, District Nawanshahr, Punjab. Job is done 🇮🇳✌️#Khalistani #Punjab #Unknowngunman Join | t.me/SatyaagrahIndia View attached media content - Satyaagrah (@SatyaagrahIndia) 5 Apr 2024

The police leveled serious accusations against Rattandeep Singh, claiming he was involved in smuggling explosives into Amritsar. Specifically, they alleged that in May 2010, he was responsible for placing explosives in a vehicle near the Circuit House, an act that highlighted the danger he posed to public safety. Singh's criminal activities were extensive and varied, encompassing several high-profile incidents. Among these were his involvement in a bomb blast at the Passport Office in Sector 34, Chandigarh, in 1999; a devastating explosion on a railway bridge in Panipat in the same year; and the planting of an improvised explosive device (IED) on the railway track at the Shahabad-Markanda bridge in 1998. Moreover, Singh's criminal record included an armed encounter with the police and a daring escape from custody in 1999, as well as the seizure of arms and explosives in the Jind district in both 1996 and 2000.

Despite the numerous cases against him, Rattandeep Singh was tried and found guilty in only one case under the Arms Act. In a turn of legal outcomes, he was acquitted of all charges related to terrorism. Since 2019, after his acquittal, Singh lived with his family, attempting to lead a life away from his tumultuous past.

However, the shadow of his former life loomed large. Singh reportedly harbored a strong suspicion that his life was in jeopardy. This fear was so profound that he expressed reluctance to travel for court hearings while detained in Nabha High-Security Jail. Following his release, he voiced concerns about his safety on numerous occasions through social media, indicating a persistent fear that he was a target for assassination. These expressed fears painted a picture of a man constantly looking over his shoulder, aware of the potential threats stemming from his past actions and associations.

Rattandeep Singh's personal life was as tumultuous as his life of crime. He experienced the complexities of relationships and family amid his notorious background. His first marriage ended in separation when his wife, along with their daughter, moved out of India in 2003, leaving behind the shadows of his criminal activities. Despite the turmoil and the stains of his past, Singh sought a new beginning in his personal life after being released from jail. He entered into a second marriage, from which he had a son, attempting to build a semblance of normalcy and family life amidst the chaos of his past deeds.

However, Singh's attempt to lead a normal life was short-lived, as his actions caught up with him once again. In 2021, he found himself entangled with the law, this time for trying to leave the country using a fake passport. This incident added another chapter to his already complicated legal history. Despite being apprehended for this crime, Singh managed to secure bail and was out of prison while the case was ongoing. His life, marked by repeated encounters with the law and attempts to evade its grasp, reflects a continual struggle between his past actions and the pursuit of a different path in life.