Congress leader and Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala was shot dead by unidentified people in Mansa district on Sunday evening. Two others have been injured in the firing.
The incident took place a day after the Punjab government withdrew his security cover.
Moose Wala and the two others who were seriously injured in the shooting were rushed to the Mansa hospital where Sidhu was declared brought dead, Dr Ranjeet Rai, Civil Surgeon, said.
“After giving primary treatment, the other two injured have been referred to a higher institute for further treatment,” he added.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Mansa) Gobinder Singh told PTI that several bullets hit Moosewala, 27, who was in his jeep at village Jawahar Ke when he was attacked.
The singer had joined the Congress party in December last year ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections. He had fought on the Congress ticket from Mansa assembly seat in the recent assembly election and was defeated by AAP's Dr Vijay Singla.
On Saturday, the Punjab Police had ordered the withdrawal of security of 424 people, including former MLAs, Jathedars of two Takhts, heads of Deras, and police officers.
"The murder of Sidhu Moose Wala, Congress candidate from Punjab and a talented musician, has come as a terrible shock to the Congress party and the entire nation. Our deepest condolences to his family, fans and friends," tweeted the Congress party.