Haryana: 2 people killed, 1 injured when masked men opened fire outside a gym in Yamunanagar

Two men were shot dead and another injured after four masked gunmen opened indiscriminate fire at them outside a gymnasium in Radaura Yamunanagar on Thursday.

The deceased were identified as Pankaj Malik, a native of Bagpat in Uttar Pradesh, and Virender Kumar, a local resident. Police said injured Arjun, also a local resident, was undergoing treatment at a hospital.

The incident took place between 8:00 am and 8:30 am on a foggy morning in Kheri Lakha Singh village. As soon as the three men left the gym and were about to get into the vehicle, four or five attackers rode there on motorcycles and fired several shots at them, investigators say.

Although two men died, the condition of the other person was critical. Police said the incident was recorded on CCTV. After the incident, the perpetrators fled.

All three were rushed to hospital, where Pankaj and Virender were pronounced dead. Arjun was admitted to a private hospital from where he was referred to a hospital in Mohali due to severe gunshot injuries.

Locals said they initially saw the shooting as a fireworks display that took place just meters from the police station. After the incident, several police teams reached the spot and Superintendent of Police (SP) Rajiv Deswal also inspected the crime scene.

People familiar with the matter said that it appears to be a fallout of a liquor dispute as Virender and Arjun were involved in the liquor trade with Pankaj, who was his contractor. The involvement of rival Monu Rana and Kala Rana gangs was also being investigated.

However, there is no official confirmation from the police in this matter yet.

Both Shamsher Singh alias Monu Rana and Virender Pratap alias Kala Rana are jailed gangsters accused of illegal liquor trade in the region and known arch rivals. Kala is a resident of Yamunanagar town while Monu belongs to Barara town in Ambala district.

Police said that an investigation has been launched into the matter and all important clues are being investigated. The attackers’ escape route was determined using CCTV cameras installed nearby.

The SP stated that based on the complaint, a case was registered against unidentified men on various charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Arms Act.

Asked about the number of shots fired and the reason behind it, he said, “Though the final report estimate is awaited, almost 30-35 shots were fired. We are investigating everything from every angle to determine whether this was a personal dispute or a gang rivalry. Several teams are working on the task and a breakthrough is likely to occur soon.

The incident has once again thrown a question mark over the law and order situation in Haryana. This came four days after unidentified assailants shot dead three people, including a woman, at a hotel parking lot in neighboring Panchkula district.

Congress MP for Sirsa Kumari Selja said that the shooting in broad daylight proves that the attackers are not afraid of the administration, while people are so scared that they want to leave their homes.