Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh: A 25-year-old man, identified as Harish alias Katta, was fatally shot in Aligarh's Telipada area early Friday (March 14) morning, triggering a police investigation into a suspected gang rivalry. The incident, which occurred around 3:30 AM, just before Sehri prayers, involved four assailants who arrived on a motorcycle and ambushed Harish near his residence in Galli No 9.
The entire incident was captured by a nearby CCTV camera, showing masked assailants targetting the victim and fleeing the scene after the shooting. In the video, another man accompanied Harish, who fled from the scene after the attackers started firing shots at him.
Trigger Warning: Viewer discretion is advised. Some visuals in the footage maybe disturbing to some.
Assailants Fled the Scene After Murder
According to eyewitness accounts and family members, Harish was returning home after playing cricket with friends when he was surrounded by the attackers. The assailants opened fire, discharging eight to nine rounds, with seven bullets striking Harish in the stomach and back, resulting in his immediate death. The relentless barrage of gunfire continued until Harish succumbed to his injuries.
As per a report by Dainik Bhasker, the sound of gunfire prompted nearby residents to pursue the fleeing assailants. However, the criminals responded by firing at the pursuing crowd, narrowly missing several individuals. The indiscriminate shooting also resulted in bullet holes in the shutters of nearby shops, highlighting the brazen nature of the attack. Following the incident, a large crowd gathered at the scene, expressing their shock and outrage.
Police Suspects Gang War
Police swiftly arrived at the location, accompanied by a forensic team, to begin their investigation. CCTV footage of the incident has surfaced, showing the masked attackers firing at Harish and subsequently fleeing the scene. The police are now meticulously analyzing the footage to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
CO First ASP Mayank Pathak, who is leading the investigation, stated that the police are exploring all possible angles, including a potential gang war. He confirmed that Harish had ongoing disputes, which are being considered as a primary motive for the attack. Three specialised teams have been formed to conduct raids and search for the accused. The police are also examining CCTV footage from the surrounding areas to trace the escape route of the assailants.
The body of the deceased has been sent for postmortem examination, and a formal case has been registered against the accused. The police have assured the community that they are committed to apprehending the perpetrators and bringing them to justice. The investigation is ongoing, with police questioning local residents and gathering further evidence to piece together the events leading to the fatal shooting.
