Shocking Attack in Broad Daylight Creates Panic
In a horrifying incident that highlights the growing concern over gang culture and extortion in Punjab, armed miscreants opened indiscriminate fire on a local businessman in Loh Chapp village near Batala, Gurdaspur district. The brazen daylight assault took place around 11 AM when Fortuner-borne assailants intercepted and chased the victim’s vehicle, creating widespread panic and chaos across the surrounding area.
Chased at Gunpoint: Narrow Escape Inside Sheller
The victim, identified as Mehakdeep Singh, was driving his Thar SUV toward his family’s rice sheller when a high-speed chase ensued. A group of masked assailants in a Toyota Fortuner cornered his vehicle and opened heavy fire. Demonstrating presence of mind under extreme peril, Mehakdeep managed to speed away, maneuver into his sheller premises, and take cover. To save their lives, the family members and sheller staff returned fire in self-defense, forcing the attackers to flee the scene in their vehicle.
Prior Threats and Unmet ₹1 Crore Extortion Demand
Speaking about the traumatic event, Nishan Singh, the victim’s uncle and sheller owner, revealed that the violent attack was a direct consequence of an unfulfilled extortion demand. According to the family, a notorious criminal gang had demanded ₹1 crore from Mehakdeep about a month prior, threatening him with dire consequences if the money was not paid. The family stated that Monday’s shooting was a clear attempt to execute those lethal threats after they refused to give in to the ransom demand.
Police Action and High-Alert Investigation
Upon receiving news of the shooting, senior officers from the Sekhwan Police Station rushed to the scene along with heavy police reinforcements. Forensic teams were deployed to collect bullet casings and gather crucial scientific evidence. Police authorities have registered a case and initiated a thorough investigation, reviewing CCTV footage along the escape route to trace and apprehend the perpetrators at the earliest.
