Video: Punjab businessman killed in a broad daylight outside his shop in Bathinda

Chandigarh: Horrifying visuals surface from Bathinda, Punjab, where a shopkeeper was shot dead outside his shop on Saturday by two unidentified assailants. The victim, Harjinder Singh Johal, was sitting outside his Amritsari kulcha shop on Mall Road when the shooters came on a motorcycle and opened fire on him. The victim was rushed to hospital where he was declared dead. The entire incident was captured on the CCTV cameras.

CCTV footage from the scene captures Mr Johal, held the position of president within the Bathinda Mall Road Association, sitting in a chair outside his shop when two men arrive on a motorcycle. One of the men dismounts and fires several rounds at Mr Johal before fleeing the spot.

Mr Johal was severely injured and was taken to a government hospital in Bathinda for treatment. However, he succumbed due to the severity of his injuries, he was referred to Max Hospital where he died. The assailants fired a total of 5 to 6 shots, causing significant harm as the bullets struck various parts of Johal’s body.

The sound of gunfire attracted the attention of onlookers nearby, resulting in a chaotic scene of commotion. Dipu, a worker at Mr Johal’s shop said, “I was standing on top of the shop when I heard the sound of gunfire as if someone was bursting crackers. Then, Mr Johal shouted that he had been shot and told me to catch the people who did it. I chased them, but they were on a motorcycle and got away. There were two people on the motorcycle”.

The police said an detailed investigation has been launched and they are scanning the CCTV footage of nearby areas to trace the accused. Two people have been identified so far and an investigation is underway to track down the accused.

Local shopkeepers protested against the killing, pointing out the weakening of law and order in the state. Local shopkeepers have demanded strict action against the criminals and threatened to shut down business activities in the vicinity if the criminals are not caught.

Shocking incident in Bathinda. Mall Road Association President Harjinder Singh Mela Ji shot dead in broad daylight. Such incidents have become common in Punjab under the Aam Aadmi Party regime. The entire trading community is in a state of fear. Shiromani Akali Dal demands an… pic.twitter.com/D0yTY7Nbe6

— Sukhbir Singh Badal (@officeofssbadal) October 28, 2023

After learning about the incident, Opposition leaders targetted the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab. “Such incidents have become common in Punjab under the Aam Aadmi Party regime. The entire trading community is in a state of fear. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) demands immediate action in the matter,” said hiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal.

BJP leader Roopchand Singal also condemns AAP for the law and order situation in Punjab.