Shiv Sena UBT Leader Pradeep Purnekar Shot Dead In Thane, Police Launch Probe

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar was shot dead after unidentified assailants allegedly fired two rounds at him and physically assaulted him in Maharashtra’s Thane city on Tuesday night, police said. Purnekar, who served as the Thane ‘vibhag pramukh’, or division head, of the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, was attacked around 9 pm under the jurisdiction of the Kapurbawdi police station. He suffered serious bullet injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he later died during treatment. The incident has triggered concern among local party workers and supporters and prompted a police investigation.

According to police, the attack took place on Tuesday night when the unidentified assailants confronted Purnekar and assaulted him before firing two rounds. The circumstances leading up to the confrontation remain under investigation. Police have not yet established the motive behind the shooting or identified those responsible. The incident took place in a locality under the Kapurbawdi police station limits, and authorities moved quickly to secure the area after receiving information about the attack. Investigators are now examining evidence from the scene and information gathered from the surrounding area to reconstruct the sequence of events.

Following the shooting, Purnekar was taken to Infinity Hospital near R Mall on Ghodbunder Road for emergency treatment. Medical personnel began treating him after he arrived with serious injuries caused by the gunfire. Despite the medical intervention, his condition remained critical and he died during treatment, police said. His death has since led to increased concern among local Shiv Sena (UBT) workers, particularly because of his organisational position as the party’s division head in Thane. Details about whether Purnekar had received any prior threats or whether the attack was linked to a personal or political dispute were not immediately available.

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After being alerted to the incident, police teams reached the location and secured the site. Investigators began collecting forensic evidence that could help determine the circumstances of the shooting and establish the sequence of events. The police are also examining physical evidence from the location and speaking to people who may have witnessed the incident or have information about the movements of the suspects. The investigation is expected to focus on identifying the assailants, establishing their connection with the victim and determining whether the attack was planned or followed a confrontation.

CCTV footage has become a key part of the investigation. Police are scanning cameras installed at the site of the shooting as well as footage from surrounding roads and arterial routes in Thane. Investigators are attempting to trace the movements of the suspected attackers before and after the incident and identify the route they may have used to leave the area. Police have also set up ‘nakabandi’, or checkpoints, at major exits across Thane in an effort to intercept the suspects. The checkpoints are being used alongside the CCTV investigation and other leads being pursued by the police.

The shooting has caused tension in the area and heightened concern among supporters of the Shiv Sena (UBT). Purnekar’s position as a local ‘vibhag pramukh’ made him a recognised organisational figure within the party’s Thane unit. Police have not yet disclosed the identities of the suspected attackers, their possible motive or whether any arrests have been made. Investigators are continuing to examine CCTV recordings, forensic material and information from the area as they work to establish the circumstances surrounding the killing.

Authorities are expected to gather additional evidence as the investigation progresses, including footage from roads beyond the immediate crime scene that could help establish the suspects’ escape route. Police are also likely to examine whether the assailants used any vehicle to flee and whether the attack was preceded by a dispute or confrontation. For now, the investigation remains focused on tracing those responsible for Purnekar’s death and establishing the motive behind the shooting. Further details are expected as police make progress in identifying and locating the suspects.

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