Firing outside Maqsudan gym linked to old rivalry

A firing incident that took place outside a gym at Maqsudan on Wednesday morning has again raised questions over the law and order situation in the city. However, the victim of the incident, identified as Pardhan, narrowly escaped when assailants attempted to shot him over an alleged old rivalry.

The attack occurred around 9:30am when three masked persons arrived on a bike and tried to shoot Pardhan as he exited the gym. However, while they pointed the gun at him from behind, the bullet got stuck in the pistol, allowing the victim to flee towards his car. Meanwhile, the accused fled the scene, firing a shot in the air.

In his statement to the police, Pardhan claimed that he had been actively working to combat drug abuse in his locality, a cause that had drawn threats from individuals involved in drug smuggling. He alleged that the attackers were connected to this illegal trade and had previously warned him to back off.

On receiving information about the incident, the police rushed to the scene and initiated an investigation. Assistant Sub-Inspector Sham Lal, leading the probe, revealed that only one bullet shell had been recovered. He added that the CCTV footage from the gym's premises was being reviewed to identify the culprits.

“An FIR has been registered against Rajinder Singh and two persons under the Arms Act and relevant sections of the BNS. According to the initial findings, both parties have a history of animosity over minor disputes in the locality”, he said.

ASI Sham Lal further said Pardhan retrieved his licensed weapon from his car, prompting the attackers to flee. “The investigation is ongoing and we are conducting raids to apprehend the accused and uncover the complete background of the incident,” he said.

Meanwhile, the firing has sparked fear among residents, with calls for stricter action to address criminal activities in the city.