Notorious Gangster Linked to Brazen Daylight Attack in Zirakpur

On Sunday morning, the quiet town of Zirakpur in Mohali district was shaken by the sound of gunfire, marking the second such incident in the area within the past 48 hours. The audacious attack took place in broad daylight on the busy Zirakpur-Patiala highway, causing widespread panic among the locals.

According to the police, the incident occurred outside a hotel where the owner's son, Gagan, was standing near the entrance. Two motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire, narrowly missing Gagan, who quickly ran inside the hotel lobby to seek shelter. The attack left bullet marks on the bonnet and windows of two vehicles parked in the adjoining car market, as eyewitnesses reported chaos with shopkeepers dropping shutters and pedestrians scrambling for cover.

The prime accused in the case has been identified as Shubham Pandit, a notorious Yamunanagar-based gangster associated with the Kala Rana gang. This criminal group has been linked to a series of extortion threats and targeted attacks across the region, including Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh.

Zirakpur ASP Gazalpreet Kaur stated that a case under attempt to murder and the Arms Act has been registered against Pandit, who is known to the police and has a Rs 1 lakh reward announced by Haryana Police. Pandit had previously served a 10-year jail term in an attempt to murder case and is closely associated with the Kala Rana gang. The initial investigation suggests that the attack was carried out to settle an old enmity.

The incident has further intensified concerns over the recent surge in gun violence across Mohali and Zirakpur, where several firing incidents linked to gang networks have been recorded in recent months. Police have assured strict action and intensified search operations to address the ongoing challenge of gang-related violence in the region.