Gurdwara staffer's attackers identified, 1 had criminal record: Sources

The Uttarakhand Police has detained at least three to four men in connection with the murder of Dera kar seva chief of the Nanakmatta Sahib Gurdwara in Udham Singh Nagar district, sources told India Today TV.

In addition, the police have also identified the two assailants who shot dead the Dera kar seva chief, based on the CCTV footage of the incident, sources added.

Baba Tarsem Singh was shot dead on Thursday on the shrine's premises by two bike-borne assailants.

Notably, the Nanakmatta Sahib Gurdwara, around 50 km from Rudrapur, is a revered Sikh shrine located on the Rudrapur-Tanakpur route in Udham Singh Nagar district.

According to sources, one of the accused, identified as Sarabjit (40), had a criminal record and was earlier arrested for cutting off the hand of a person who allegedly touched Guru Granth Sahib with unwashed hands.

A resident of Punjab, a case was lodged against Sarabjit for issuing threats to people on religious lines. Another accused was identified as one Bittu, who belongs to Uttarakhand.

Both the accused were staying near the Dera for eight to nine days before committing the crime. They were identified based on the CCTV footage of the ID cards which they provided for staying in a hotel.

On Thursday, the state DGP said the incident was "serious" and a special investigation team (SIT) comprising personnel of the Special Task Force and local police had been constituted to probe the incident.

"If there is a conspiracy behind the incident, it will be unravelled. The help of central agencies will also be taken for this," he said and added that "we will nab the assailants soon".

PUSHKAR DHAMI TO ATTEND LAST RITES

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami will attend the last rites of Baba Tarsem Singh. The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has been deployed in the area as a precautionary measure.

On Thursday, the Chief Minister laid a wreath on the body of Baba Tarsem Singh and became emotional while condoling his death. He also met his family members.

Dhami was accompanied by Union Minister of State for Defence and Tourism Ajay Bhatt.