Masked Gunmen Target Sweet Shop in Phagwara Early Morning
Early Monday morning brought terror to a quiet street in Phagwara. Three masked shooters opened fire outside a well-known sweet shop. The incident occurred shortly after the shop opened its doors for the day. Remarkably, no customers or staff members sustained any injuries during the frightening attack.
Shop Owner Describes Harrowing Moments
Rajinder Sudhir, the owner of S Sudhir Sweet Shop on Hoshiarpur Road, recounted the terrifying sequence of events. His shop opened as usual at 6:25 AM. By 6:40 AM, a scooter carrying three masked individuals pulled up outside. Two of the men immediately began firing toward the shopfront.
The glass entrance sustained significant damage from the bullets. Rajinder and his employees took cover inside and remained unharmed. The shop owner expressed complete bewilderment, stating he has no known disputes with anyone that could explain the attack.
Police Investigation Underway
Senior Superintendent of Police Madhvi Sharma arrived promptly at the scene. Initial investigations revealed that the assailants used a 0.9mm pistol, firing seven rounds. Police teams successfully recovered the empty bullet shells from the spot.
Authorities are now meticulously examining footage from CCTV cameras installed in the surrounding market area. A forensic team also visited the location to collect samples for further analysis. The police have launched a full-scale investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
Second Shooting Incident in Recent Weeks
This attack marks the second shooting incident to shake Phagwara in a matter of weeks. Previously, gunshots targeted the residence of Daljit Raju, a local AAP leader, in Darvesh Pind village. An extortion letter demanding a staggering five crore rupees was also thrown at his home during that incident.
While no one was injured, bullet marks were left on the house. Daljit Raju serves as the coordinator for the AAP's anti-drug committee. He reported receiving a series of threatening messages and calls via WhatsApp, some originating from an Australian number and others from numbers based in the US or Canada.
Political Reactions Surface
The incident quickly drew political commentary. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar referenced Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's past promise to eliminate gangsters within seven days. Jakhar pointedly noted that this shooting occurred just hours before the CM's scheduled visit to Phagwara.
"Gangsters have openly challenged Kejriwal's claim with this incident," Jakhar stated. He highlighted the similar attack on AAP leader Daljit Raju's home and questioned the state government's capability to handle such law and order situations. Jakhar asked whether citizens were now left vulnerable and at the mercy of criminal elements.
The back-to-back shootings have heightened concerns about safety and the effectiveness of anti-gangster measures in the region. Residents and business owners are anxiously awaiting concrete action from the authorities.
