CHANDIGARH: A 45-year-old pharmacy cashier was shot dead after two masked men opened fire inside a crowded medical store in Chandigarh’s Sector 11 market on Saturday afternoon, police said.
The victim, identified as Janki Das, a native of Himachal Pradesh, was working at the chemist shop and was living in Dhanas, Chandigarh.
CCTV captures moment of deadly attack
CCTV footage from the shop shows the two accused standing near the cash counter before one of them pulled out a semi-automatic pistol. The attacker fired multiple rounds at Das from close range while he was standing near the counter. Police said a total of 13 bullets were fired during the attack. Other customers were present inside the shop when the shooting took place.
Three attackers escaped on motorcycle
According to police, the two shooters fled the spot immediately after the firing. A third accomplice was waiting outside the shop on a motorcycle and the trio escaped together. Chandigarh SSP Sumer Pratap Singh said the person waiting outside did not enter the shop but helped the attackers flee.
"This incident took place today at 2:30 PM. Two masked individuals arrived at the shop here. They launched a barrage of gunfire at the shop's employee, Janki Das, and subsequently managed to flee the scene. An accomplice was waiting outside on a motorcycle, and all three of them escaped together," the SSP said.
Probe underway
Police said the shop owner had not received any threats before the incident. A Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) team reached the spot and collected evidence as investigators began examining CCTV footage and other clues. The police are now trying to identify the attackers and establish the motive behind the killing.
Busy market area near PGIMER
The shooting took place in one of Sector 11’s busiest market stretches, which has several chemist shops and witnesses heavy public movement throughout the day. The area is located close to PGIMER, one of the city’s major healthcare institutions.
