A sarpanch was shot dead by unidentified assailants in broad daylight in the main market of Baghapurana in Moga district on Friday afternoon, triggering panic in the area.The deceased was later identified as Harpinder Singh Happy, sarpanch of Patto Hira Singh village.According to the police and eyewitnesses, four armed attackers opened fire on Happy in the market. The assailants allegedly fired multiple rounds at close range before fleeing the scene amid chaos in the crowded marketplace.The injured sarpanch was rushed to the Civil Hospital in Baghapurana, where doctors declared him “brought dead”.Senior Superintendent of Police Ajay Gandhi said preliminary investigation suggested the killing appeared to be the result of personal enmity. He said multiple teams had been formed to track down the suspects and the vehicle used in the crime.Police personnel reached the spot soon after the incident and cordoned off the area. Forensic teams collected evidence while the body was sent for a post-mortem examination.Officials said CCTV footage from the market and nearby shops was also being examined as part of the investigation.Meanwhile, a video recorded at the Civil Hospital, Baghapurana, went viral on social media in which a young woman alleged that a leader of the ruling AAP had planned the killing.Following the circulation of the video, Opposition leaders Bikram Singh Majithia of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and Sukhpal Singh Khaira of the Congress raised the issue on social media and demanded strict action if the allegations were found to be true.SSP Gandhi said the police were investigating all aspects of the case and efforts were underway to arrest the accused.