A man facing charges under the Arms Act was brutally gunned down in the parking area of a local court in Abohar, Punjab, on Thursday, in an attack that has raised alarming questions about security arrangements in judicial premises across the state. The shooting occurred just moments after the victim arrived for his scheduled court appearance, prompting panic among bystanders and court staff. Police teams immediately cordoned off the area as eyewitnesses described a sudden burst of gunfire that shattered the morning’s routine proceedings.

The victim, identified as Akash alias Golu Pandit, was a resident of Abohar and had been attending hearings related to an ongoing criminal case. According to authorities, he had stepped out of his vehicle when he was confronted by a group of assailants who emerged swiftly from a parked car. Witnesses reported seeing the attackers fire multiple shots at close range before fleeing the scene, leaving Akash critically wounded on the ground. Emergency medical teams transported him to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead shortly after admission.

Fazilka Senior Superintendent of Police Gurmeet Singh stated that initial forensic assessment confirmed that at least six rounds were discharged during the attack. He added that the precision and speed of the assault suggested premeditation, indicating that the shooters were likely tracking the victim’s movements for some time. Singh emphasised that such an assault inside a court complex underscores the need for strengthened security protocols, especially for individuals involved in criminal cases who face potential threats.

Also Read: Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Secures Major Investor Pledges in Japan and South Korea

Early stages of the investigation reveal that the assailants appeared to know exactly when Akash would arrive at the court, suggesting that the attack was planned around his hearing schedule. Police are reviewing CCTV footage from the court premises and nearby areas to retrace the route taken by the attackers. Officers are also probing possible motives, including rivalries or disputes linked to Akash’s ongoing criminal case, to determine whether the killing was an act of retaliation or part of a larger criminal conflict.

Authorities confirmed that the three suspected shooters have been identified, and multiple specialised teams have been deployed across the region to track them down. Checkpoints have been set up along major exit routes from Abohar as investigators intensify efforts to locate the getaway vehicle and its occupants. The incident has prompted renewed concerns about rising gun violence in the border district, with senior officials assuring the public that the perpetrators will be apprehended and brought to justice at the earliest.

Also Read: Punjab Police Bust Pakistan-Operated Arms Smuggling Ring: 6 Arrested with 6 Pistols in Amritsar