Nakodar gym owner killed in rival group crossfire

A violent confrontation between two rival groups led to a fatal shootout outside a gym and service station near the Shankar Bypass Canal in Nakodar on late Wednesday evening.

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A man was killed and another injured seriously in what the authorities described as an old rivalry between the groups. The police said leaders of the two groups had licensed weapons but are not gangsters and it is being investigated whether the accused men had any prior cases or crime-related history.

The man died in the incident has been identified as gym owner Yograj, a resident of Mehmuval, Shahkot, who had been living and working at the gym in Nakodar for the past few years. The police confirmed that he was not directly involved in the dispute but was caught in the crossfire when he stepped outside on hearing the commotion.

Yograj is survived by his wife and four-year-old daughter. After sustaining injuries, he was rushed to the Civil Hospital but succumbed to his injuries.

Meanwhile, leaders of the two feuding groups have been identified as Ravinder Ladoo and Dilpreet, alias Vishal, both hailing from Nakodar. A resident of Kang Sahib village, Dilpreet sustained serious gunshot wounds and remains hospitalised. His condition is reported to be critical.

A case has been registered against nine persons, including Laddoo and Dilpreet, and 12 unidentified persons at the Nakodar City police station.

According to the police, a gunfire broke out following a dispute between two groups travelling in two vehicles outside the gym. Witnesses reported hearing multiple rounds of gunfire in quick succession, causing panic in the area.

DSP, Nakodar, Sukhpal Singh said, "Preliminary investigation suggests the violence stemmed from an old rivalry between the groups. Forensic teams have begun analysing the vehicles and camera footage from nearby establishments." No arrests have been made in the case yet.