Teenager hurt in firing in group clash over crackers

LUDHIANA: A teenager in the dairy business was injured after a miscreant fired at him following a spat between two groups over crackers in Kailash Nagar of Basti Jodhewal here on Thursday evening. Police have started proceedings to register an ‘attempt to murder’ case against three persons, including the one who shot at at the teenager. The accused were identified as Neeraj, Vicky (both of Kailash Nagar), and an unidentified person who fired at the 19- year-old victim, Prithpal Singh.
Police officials said that on Thursday, the accused persons fought with other youth of the same area over crackers. They added that after that, both the sides brought more youth for the fight, and they had a face-off near the victim’s house. Cops said as Prithpal was standing there, the group of Neeraj, Vicky and the other accused asked him why he was staring at them. They added that the accused threatened Prithpal, after which they handed a pistol to the unidentified miscreant who fired three gunshots at him.

Police officials said the bullets hit Prithpal in his left arm and abdominal area, after which he fell down, and the accused persons fled from the spot. Meanwhile, Prithpal’s family rushed him to a private hospital before informing the police.

Additional deputy commissioner of police (ADCP) Gurpreet Singh said the accused were being booked for ‘attempt to murder’ at Jodhewal police station, and they are on on the run, with a manhunt launched to nab them. The police official said a report from the hospital suggested Prithpal was out of danger, and would be operated upon by doctors. He added that Prithpal — who had passed class 12 — helped his father in his dairy business. Cops said the accused were undergraduate students around 20 years old.