Ludhiana: Elderly man receives bullet injuries as two rivals clash

LUDHIANA: Panic gripped Shimlapuri’s Preet Nagar when a group opened fire at its rival late on Tuesday night. One of the bullets missed its mark and hit an elderly man standing outside his house.
The injured has been identified as Savinder Singh, 70, a retired employee of irrigation department. Savinder was buying an ice-cream outside his house when he sustained the bullet injury.
The police have registered a case on the complaint of Charanpreet Singh.
Charanpreet, 34, said, “I, along with a friend, had gone to my aunt’s house in Shimlapuri on Tuesday night. After my rival Gagandeep Singh saw me, he called his aides and started throwing stones and bricks at us.”
In retaliation, Charanpreet also threw bricks at them, following which Gagandeep opened fire at him.
“He fired at least three shots, of which one hit the elderly man on his shoulder. Thereafter, they escaped from the spot,” he added.
Assistant commissioner of police (Industrial Area–A) Randhir Singh said, “Three accused have been identified as Gagandeep, Guri and Jagga of Shimlapuri. Their other accomplices are yet to be identified. Gagandeep is a notorious criminal and has 11 criminal cases against him. Gagandeep and Charanpreet have a rivalry as the latter has also been involved in some clashes.”
Police have lodged an FIR under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 506 (criminal intimidation), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 149 (act done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the IPC and under the Arms Act. Cops will record the statement of Savinder Singh also.
The official added, “When we conducted a raid at Gagandeep’s house to arrest him, banned drugs were recovered from the possession of his mother. A separate case will be lodged in this matter.”