Punjab Congress leader Khushbaz Singh Jattana was killed in a road accident on Thursday evening after a truck rammed into his stationary SUV in Kundli area of Sonipat, police said. His driver, Parminder Singh, also died in the incident. According to police, the accident took place on the Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal Expressway when the SUV was parked to fix a deflated tyre. A speeding truck hit the vehicle from behind with great force.
Jattana, 45, had contested the Punjab Assembly elections from Talwandi Sabo in 2017 and 2022 but lost both times. He was serving as the district president of the Indian National Congress in Bathinda Rural.
What did the police say?
Assistant Commissioner of Police Vipin Ahlawat said Jattana and his driver died on the spot, while his gunman sustained injuries and is undergoing treatment. The body has been kept at the Sonipat Civil Hospital for post-mortem, officials added.
Kundli Station House Officer Sethi Malik said, "We received information regarding Khushbaz Jatana's vehicle, carrying him, his driver, and his gunman, stating that it collided with an unidentified truck while they were changing a tyre. In this incident, Khushbaz Jatana and his driver died, while the gunman was injured and is currently undergoing treatment. They were travelling from Delhi to Bathinda. The bodies have been taken into custody for a post-mortem examination. We will arrest the truck driver shortly."
The truck driver fled the scene after the accident, though police said the vehicle has been identified and efforts are underway to nab the accused.
Punjab leaders express condolences
Congress MP and former Cabinet Minister Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, along with several other leaders, arrived at the Sonipat Civil Hospital. They expressed their condolences over Jattana's demise.
In a post on X, Warring said, it is difficult to believe that Khushbaz is no longer with us. "It is sad and extremely devastating for us that we have lost a dynamic and promising young leader Khushbaz Jattana in a tragic road accident near Panipat today. Entire Congress party stands by the family in this tragic and devastating moment of shock and grief for all of us. It is difficult to believe that Khushbaz is no longer with us. This is an irreparable loss for all of us. He has left a vacuum in our lives which can never be filled. May Waheguru bless his soul and provide courage to the family to deal with this devastating tragedy," he said.
Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, also expressed grief. In a post on X, Bajwa said, "Deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Congress leader Khushbaz Singh Jattana in a tragic road accident. From his early days as a student leader to emerging as a committed political voice, I have seen his journey up close. It is truly heartbreaking that such a young and promising life has been cut short so abruptly. Party has lost a dedicated and rising leader. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and supporters in this difficult time.
(Report: Sunny Malik)
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