PATIALA: Four masked men allegedly scaled the perimeter wall of a historic gurdwara in Badrukhan village, Sangrur, shortly after midnight and shot an on-duty sewadar who confronted them after they overpowered and gagged another worker.The incident took place between 1am and 1.36am at the gurdwara, located in Badrukhan, the maternal home of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Police have arrested three of the four suspects and launched a search for the fourth.Jaswant Singh, a cook at the gurdwara, suffered a bullet injury to his chest. Villagers initially took him to Civil Hospital, Sangrur, from where he was referred to Government Rajindra Hospital, Patiala. Badrukhan police post in-charge ASI Jaswinder Singh said Jaswant’s condition was stable and he was out of danger.According to police and CCTV footage, the assailants arrived in a car, entered the living quarters of the community kitchen and overpowered sewadar Ajaib Singh, who was sleeping on a cot. They allegedly gagged him and tried to tie his hands and legs.Hearing Ajaib’s muffled cries, Jaswant came out of an adjoining room and confronted the intruders. One of the assailants allegedly fired at him from close range before the group fled.Ajaib managed to free himself and alerted members of the gurdwara committee. An announcement over the loudspeaker woke villagers, who rushed Jaswant to hospital.Senior police officers reached the gurdwara around 2.30am. A member of the gurdwara management committee said nothing was stolen and the donation box had not been breached. Police, however, said they had received a complaint alleging an attempted robbery and were investigating the motive.Police teams were formed to trace the vehicle and examine CCTV footage from nearby rural roads.Sangrur police later arrested Sarabjit Singh and Jagsir Singh, both from Barnala, and Gurjit Singh of Bathinda district. Gagandeep Singh, also from Bathinda, remains absconding. Police recovered a Swift car, two .32-bore pistols and six live cartridges from the accused.SSP Sangrur Ravjot Grewal said the accused allegedly intended to loot money from the gurdwara, but the plan was disrupted when the sewadar confronted them. Longowal SHO Inspector Gulabh Singh said Jagsir Singh had two previous cases registered against him, while the criminal records of the other accused were being verified.A case was initially registered against unidentified persons at Longowal police station under Sections 331(7), 109, 115(2) and 3(5) of the BNS and Sections 25, 54 and 59 of the Arms Act. Further investigation is underway.