Chandigarh, April 2 Punjab Congress leader Khushbaz Singh Jattana was killed on Thursday evening after a truck hit his stationary SUV in Kundli in Haryana's Sonipat district, police said.
The SUV driver also died in the accident, they said.
Jattana (45), who unsuccessfully contested the 2017 and 2022 Punjab assembly polls from the Talwandi Sabo seat, was the district Congress president from Bathinda Rural.
A police official said the truck hit Jattana's vehicle from the rear side on the Kundli-Ghaziabad-Palwal Expressway.
The SUV was parked to fix one of its deflated tires, the police said.
In the incident, Jattana and his driver Parminder Singh died, while his gunman sustained injuries, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Rai), Sonipat, Vipin Ahlawat said over the phone.
Jattana's body has been kept at the Sonipat Civil Hospital, said the police.
After the accident, the truck driver fled the scene, with the police saying the truck has been identified.
Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring expressed grief over the demise of Jattana.
"It is sad and extremely devastating for us that we have lost a dynamic and promising young leader Khushbaz Jattana in a tragic road accident today," said Warring on X.
The entire Congress party stands by the family in this tragic and devastating moment of shock and grief for all of us, he said.
"It is difficult to believe that Khushbaz is no longer with us. This is an irreparable loss for all of us. He has left a vacuum in our lives which can never be filled. May Waheguru bless his soul and provide courage to the family to deal with this devastating tragedy," said Warring.
Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly and senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa also condoled Jattana's death.
"Deeply saddened by the untimely demise of Congress leader Khushbaz Singh Jattana in a tragic road accident. From his early days as a student leader to emerging as a committed political voice, I have seen his journey up close.
"It is truly heartbreaking that such a young and promising life has been cut short so abruptly. The party has lost a dedicated and rising leader. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and supporters in this difficult time," said Bajwa.