Dhariwal (Gurdaspur), Feb 10

The youth wing president of Punjab unit’s Shiv Sena (Hindustan), Honey Mahajan, was shot at from point blank range by unidentified persons here today. He was critically injured. A bullet hit a fellow shopkeeper, identified as Ashok Kumar, who died on the spot.

Mahajan was rushed to the Gurdaspur Civil Hospital. As his condition deteriorated, he was referred to a hospital in Amritsar. Sources said the assailants, numbering three, came in a Swift car at 7.15 pm when Mahajan was in his shop while Ashok was in the adjoining shop. Swarandeep Singh, SSP, said a team of more than 30 cops, including senior officers, reached the crime site within minutes.

Mahajan’s security was withdrawn a few months ago.

“It appears to be a case of personal enmity. We have sent teams to several places, including Batala, to arrest the suspects,” the SSP said. Security has been tightened in Gurdaspur, Dhariwal, Batala, Dinanagar and Qadian. — TNS