A 70-year-old retired Army brigadier was shot dead on Monday morning after being struck by a stray bullet during a road rage incident in Dehradun, police said. The victim, identified as Brigadier (Retd.) Joshi, was on his routine morning walk in Johri village near the Rajpur area when the incident occurred.

According to officials, the incident took place near Tula Apartments on Rajpur Road, where two vehicles were reportedly involved in a high-speed chase followed by a confrontation. During the altercation, occupants of one of the vehicles allegedly opened fire while pursuing the other, turning the busy road into a scene of gunfire. The retired officer, who had no connection to the incident, was hit by a stray bullet and died on the spot.

Dehradun Superintendent of Police Pramod Kumar said the victim was caught in the crossfire during the early morning hours. He explained that the shooting erupted suddenly as the two vehicles sped through the area, leaving little chance for bystanders to react. “The occupants of one vehicle were chasing the other and opened fire. The brigadier, who was on a walk, was struck by a stray bullet,” he said.

Also Read: CM Dhami Launches Air Service Connecting Dehradun And Pithoragarh In Just One Hour

Eyewitnesses described a chaotic scene, with multiple gunshots heard during what initially appeared to be a routine dispute. One witness said people nearby quickly gathered after learning that the retired officer had been shot, with some attempting to help before authorities arrived. The incident has raised concerns among local residents about public safety in the area.

Police officials confirmed that the suspects abandoned their vehicle a short distance from the scene before fleeing. A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered, and multiple teams have been deployed to identify and apprehend those involved in the shooting. Authorities are also reviewing CCTV footage from nearby locations to trace the accused.

The killing has sparked concern, particularly because the victim was an uninvolved civilian and a retired senior Army officer. Investigators are working to determine the sequence of events and identify those responsible, while officials have assured that strict action will be taken once the accused are apprehended.

Also Read: Indonesian Peacekeeper Killed in Israeli Strike on UNIFIL Base in Lebanon