A daylight attack on a finance trader's home and grain shellar in Punjab's Gurdaspur district has left the area in shock, after gunmen opened indiscriminate fire when a Rs 1 crore ransom demand went unpaid. The entire assault was captured on CCTV cameras installed around the property.
Strangers questioned staff before the attack
The incident took place in Loh Chap village of Gurdaspur district, where Mahakdeep Singh and Ajmer Singh run a finance business from Vadala Granthian village. Shortly before the attack, a group of unidentified young men arrived at their office and asked staff members detailed questions about the whereabouts of the two owners before leaving without explanation. Sensing something was wrong, employees immediately alerted Mahakdeep Singh and Ajmer Singh, who turned cautious, though the warning came too late to stop what followed.
Gunmen arrived in a Fortuner, fired for nearly half an hour
Soon after, the attackers pulled up outside the shellar and residence in a Fortuner vehicle and began firing without warning. According to the victims, the shooting continued for roughly half an hour, with several dozen rounds fired during the assault. A brand new Thar parked outside the house bore the brunt of the gunfire, with all its windows shattered. To protect themselves and their families, the victims fired back, after which the attackers fled the spot.
A Rs 1 crore ransom threat had come earlier
The victims said they had earlier received a threatening call demanding Rs 1 crore in ransom. They allege the attack was carried out specifically because they refused to pay up. That claim, combined with the office visit questioning staff about the owners just before the shooting, points to the assault being carefully planned rather than random.
Police reach the spot, case already registered at Shekhwa station
Panic gripped the locality after the shooting. Police teams rushed to the scene as soon as they were informed and examined the site closely. A case linked to the matter is already registered at Shekhwa police station, and officers are now probing the fresh attack from multiple angles as part of the same investigation.
Suspects being identified through CCTV footage
Police said the attackers are being identified using CCTV footage from the area along with other technical evidence. Officers have assured that all those involved in the attack will soon be arrested and brought to justice.
