There’s shock and sorrow in Mohali after a kabaddi player was shot dead, headlining across news feeds, as the witnesses say a group of men approached popular player Kanwar Digvijay Singh (Rana Balachauria) during a packed kabaddi match and asked for a selfie.
Moments later, gunfire erupted, and the 30-year-old was slumped on the ground. In this article, we’ll follow the story explaining the Kabaddi match shooting incident, and how it happened, considering the sport’s safety.
Kabaddi Player Shot Deadat a Packed Match
This gun attack during the Kabaddi match happened on 15 December 2025 at the Sohana Kabaddi Cup in Mohali. According to police, two to three motorcycle-borne men strolled up to Rana Balachauria pretending to be fans. They even asked for a picture before pulling out guns and firing multiple rounds at close range.
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Several eyewitnesses noted that the attackers opened fire at the kabaddi match after posing for selfies, spraying bullets at point-blank range. Four to five bullets struck the player’s face and upper body. In addition to this, eyewitnesses first mistook the shots for firecrackers until they saw him collapse. Following the murder of the player, the attackers then fired into the air to terrify spectators and fled on a motorbike.
After the Kabaddi player was shot dead, friends and officials rushed the injured to Fortis Hospital in Mohali. In a statement, the hospital said the 30-year-old arrived at 6:05 pm with gunshot injuries and was declared “brought dead.”
This tragic kabaddi player’s death news spread quickly, and social media erupted with condolences and anger. This incident not only ended Rana’s life but also shattered his recently begun married life, which was held on December 4, 2025.
Possible Motive and Gang Links
Investigators say the Bambiha gang has claimed responsibility for the shooting incident while asking for a selfie during the kabaddi match, alleging that Rana sheltered those involved in the murder of Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala. The post states, “He provided shelter to the killers of Moosewala and personally managed their associates. Today, by killing Rana, we have avenged our brother Moosewala.”
Their social-media posts even warned other players not to represent rival teams. Police are examining whether the Rana being shot dead was part of a gang rivalry or a personal grudge. SSP Harmandeep Hans stated that the assailants exploited the selfie request to get close before opening fire. Investigators are also exploring whether the presence of Punjabi singer Mankirt Aulakh at the event later that evening had any connection to the player being killed during the match.
Political Fallout After Sports Shooting Incident in India
News of the kabaddi player being shot dead sparked a political storm in Punjab, as the opposition leaders, including Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa, blasted the Bhagwant Mann-led government for failing to maintain law and order.
They called the open firing at such a sporting event a “chilling reminder” of a governance collapse. BJP working president Ashwani Sharma noted that the state now feels so unsafe that even the murder of the players is becoming common.
However, police continue to scan CCTV footage, question witnesses, and verify social-media claims. They have launched raids at multiple locations in search of the suspects. After the kabaddi player was shot dead, the authorities have also promised to address the gang menace and restore public trust. The shooting happened weeks after the successful conclusion of India’s biggest kabaddi event, Pro Kabaddi League.
Effect on the Sport and Spectators
The Mohali kabaddi match shooting incident has left fans shaking, and it casts doubt on the security of sporting events. There were thousands of spectators when the gunmen opened fire on the crowd. The organisers are now under pressure to improve screening and access control, particularly when high-profile players and celebrities are involved in a local tournament.
The incident of Rana being shot dead has further raised the fear level to the highest, and it has now become a recurring headline, threatening the traditional village-based tournaments that keep the sport alive. However, to prevent another similar incident, organisers, authorities, and communities will have to work together for better security, swift justice, and proactive measures against gang intimidation.
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