A 32-year-old man was shot dead and his cousin injured outside Amravati Mall near Pinjore here late last night. The deceased, Sonu Naulta (32), who ran a transport business, and his cousin Nitin Panwar, alias Prince (20), had come to the mall to watch a movie along with their friends.
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The group travelled from Tipra, Kalka, in an SUV bearing a Himachal Pradesh registration number (HP 15D 1726) and exited the mall around 10:45 pm. As they were walking towards their vehicle, two armed men, identified as Piyush Piplani and Ankush, both residents of Pinjore, allegedly alighted from a car parked nearby and opened fire at Sonu and Nitin. The police believe the shooting was meticulously planned. They suspect that the assailants conducted a recce of the area to track Sonu’s movements and execute the attack with precision. While four bullets struck Naulta, Prince was hit in the thigh. The assailants fled the scene along with others present in the car.
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More than 12 bullet shells were recovered from the spot. Initial medical reports confirm a 9 mm pistol was used in the attack.
Meanwhile, the assailants uploaded a Facebook video claiming the responsibility for the shooting.
Police sources said the pistol visible in the video matches the type used in the crime. The video also mentioned Anmol Bishnoi, brother of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. However, the police have refrained from confirming the involvement of any gang until the suspects are apprehended and interrogated.
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According to some locals, there had been no sign of animosity between the two. One of the residents recalled both went shopping together the same day. Another youngster from the village claimed Naulta had lent some money to Piplani.
Naulta, a respected person in his village, hailed from a family of wrestlers and ran a small transport business. He was known for his generosity and had helped marry off several girls in his community. He was reportedly planning to wed his girlfriend in the coming months. He is survived by his father and two elder brothers.
Prince is undergoing treatment at the PGIMER, Chandigarh.
The police have registered a case under Sections 103(1), 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and relevant provisions of the Arms Act. Three teams have been formed to conduct raids across Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh to catch the assailants. Although no arrests have been made so far, DCP (Crime) Amit Dahiya said two persons had been detained for interrogation.
While undergoing treatment at the PGIMER, Prince confirmed that the men seen in the viral video were indeed the attackers. The police teams are search for theassailants in Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh.
Who was Sonu Naulta
Deceased Sonu Nolta
Sonu, a 32-year-old resident of Naulta village, belonged to a family of wrestlers and ran a transport business. He owned several tippers and was known in his locality for his generosity — helping people financially and even arranging marriages of poor village girls.
Previous criminal record
Both Sonu Naulta and Piyush Piplani had criminal history. Naulta had several cases related to rioting registered in Haryana and Himachal Pradesh. Piplani has multiple FIRs registered against him, including those under Section 307 (attempt to murder).
Investigation in full swing
DCP Srishti Gupta has formed three teams under the supervision of DCP Crime Amit Dahiya to nab the culprits. While a gangster angle is being probed, the police have stated they are not rushing to link the attack to any major crime syndicates. The alleged mention of Anmol Bishnoi in the video will be investigated thoroughly after the accused are apprehended and interrogated.
Gangster angle
The assailants, identified as Piyush Piplani and Ankush, uploaded a video on Facebook from the account ‘piyushxpinjore’ claiming responsibility for the attack. In the clip, filmed inside a moving car, Piyush cited personal enmity as the motive and expressed support from Anmol Bishnoi, brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. The second man in the car was seen holding two pistols. Forensic analysis revealed that the weapon shown in the video matches the 9mm bullets recovered at the crime scene. Over a dozen bullet shells were found at the spot.
Friends turn foes
Two days prior to the incident, Sonu Naulta and accused Piyush Piplani shared a meal. The police are trying to determine what transpired in those two days that turned two close friends into mortal enemies.
