AMRITSAR, Aug 30 — The president of the All-India Sikh Students Federation (women’s cell), Ms Gurpreet Kaur Sohal, was gunned down at her residence, here today. She was shot dead from point blank range during broad daylight. She was also chief of Mai Bhago Brigade.

The police claims she was killed by her nephews, Sant Parkash Singh and Navtej Singh, alias Sonu, who have links with militants. Immediately after the crime, Navtej Singh Sonu (18) was arrested. Mr Kewal Kumar, SP (City), alleged the house of the deceased was being used as a hideout by the alleged culprits. The SP said both the culprits were involved in the sensational killing of Rishi Kapoor, a salesman at the Woodland shop in the Lawrence Road area on March 22 last year.

The police said both the culprits were staying with the deceased and had attacked Ms Sohal in July this year. She had to undergo a major brain operation. When she was severely beaten up by the culprits. The operation was done at the local Dukh Niwaran Hospital.

The police claims the deceased knew about the involvement of her nephews in the sensational killing of a salesman last year and was reportedly asking them to surrender.

Sonu, the younger brother of the main culprit, Sant Parkash Singh, was produced before the Press. Sonu admitted the involvement of his brother in the killing of his aunt.

Ms Sohal was unmarried and running a medicine shop opposite Guru Nanak Dev Hospital.

Giving details of the killing, Mr Kewal Kumar told newspersons Sant Parkash Singh was apparently fearing his arrest at the behest of his aunt. The assailant decided to get rid of her. He allegedly entered the house of Ms Sohal from the roof while initially hiding on the staircase and slowly moved towards the main door and knocked. When the maid opened the door Sant Parkash forced his way inside and took out his 30-bore pistol and gunned her down despite the pleadings of Ms Sohal’s mother and sister who were present in the house.