Two BJP leaders were shot dead by masked gunmen in Gujarat’s Bharuch district Monday. The victims have been identified as Shirish Bangali (60), a former president of BJP’s Bharuch unit, and Pragnesh Mistry (32), a general secretary with the party’s youth wing.

Police said the two had just returned from a party meeting when they were attacked. Police said they were at the Surya Printing Press office, owned by Shirish, in Panch Batti area when two persons arrived on a motorcycle and stopped outside. The pillion rider got off, entered the office and fired thrice at the two men, police said.

Police said a bullet hit Shirish in the head, while another hit Pragnesh in the stomach. Hearing the gunfire, shopkeepers from the neighbourhood rushed to the spot to find that the attackers had fled.

Both men were rushed to a private hospital, where they they were declared dead on arrival.

Police have recorded the statements of shopkeepers in the area.

“Both the accused had put a handkerchief on their face to hide their identity. There were no CCTV cameras inside or outside Surya Printing Press. The neighbours showed us the route the assailants took to escape. There are CCTV cameras on the way; we are checking the footage to identify the accused. Investigation is at a primary stage so it is difficult to say anything,” said Bharuch district superintendent of police Shobha Bhutada.

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