FEROZEPUR – Unidentified assailants shot dead two gangsters on the Jhoke Road in the cantonment area here today. The police suspect it was an outcome of a gang war.
The victims have been identified as Gurpreet Singh, alias Deepu Dhingra, (30) and Mahesh Sharma, alias Kaalu Pandit, (29).
Eyewitnesses said the incident took place around 3.30 pm, when the victims were returning on their two-wheeler after attending a hearing in a local court.
As soon as they reached the Wazir Ali chowk, the assailants arrived in a Swift car and fired at them. Both Gurpreet and Mahesh then abandoned their vehicle and entered a nearby residence after scaling a wall.
As per preliminary reports, the four assailants then trapped the duo inside the residence and shot them. The four accused escaped later.
Vibhor Sharma, DSP, who arrived at the crime scene, said Deepu died on the spot and Mahesh succumbed to his injuries at the Civil Hospital. Later, senior police officials, including Hardyal Singh Mann, Ferozepur SSP, Amarjeet Singh, SP (D), led a heavy police force to the spot.
Mann suspected it to be a gang war as the two victims were involved in several criminal cases. They were out on bail. Mann said the police had launched a manhunt to nab the accused.
As per police reports, small weapons, including .30 and .32 bore pistols, were used in the crime. However, no FIR was registered till the filing of the report. DSP Sharma said they were recording the statements of family members and eyewitnesses.
The victims were residents of the cantonment and owed allegiance to a senior Congress leader from the region.
