Gurdaspur: Departmental action has been initiated against two Punjab Police commandos who allegedly assaulted Batala-based journalist Balwinder Kumar Bhalla in Gurdaspur. Senior officials have recommended disciplinary proceedings, and both commandos have been suspended pending inquiry.
The incident, which occurred near a hotel on the evening of August 1, 2025, was captured in a video that has since gone viral. In the footage, a policeman in uniform and another in plain clothes are seen brutally punching and kicking the journalist.
According to witnesses, Bhalla fell into a water-filled pit and lost consciousness during the assault, after which the attackers fled and bystanders rushed to help.
Reports suggest the altercation began after the journalist questioned the deployment of local police officers, prompting sub-inspectors Mandeep Singh and Surjit Singh — both on temporary duty from the 5th Commando Battalion, Bathinda — to allegedly attack him.
