Over a dozen armed men opened indiscriminate fire at a Congress-PPP election rally, killing one person and injuring at least three others in Rampura Phull area of the district.
Around 15-16 armed men opened fire at the rally in Adampur village here organised ahead of May 19 panchayat polls.
Congress activist Jasvir Singh was killed in the attack while Lakhbir Singh, alias Lakha Sidhana, a prominent PPP leader and the son of Congress candidate for zila parishad polls was injured, sources said.
Mr Lakha had addressed the rally in favour of Congress candidate Malkiat Singh, who is contesting election to Bathinda zila parishad from Bhai Rupa zone.
Mr Malkiat’s brother Rajwinder Singh, alias Raju, was also wounded in the firing. The third, Balbir Singh, a close associate of Mr Lakha was also injured in the attack. Mr Lakha has suffered four gun shot injuries in his abdomen, shoulder and ankle and his condition is serious, hospital sources said.
According to police sources, over 60 rounds were fired from various weapons. including .30 pistol, a .30 US carbine and .12 bore gun, besides some other weapons at Mr Lakha, while he had just entered his car.
The police has recovered about 30 spent cartridges from the spot.
Meanwhile, SSP Bathinda Ravcharan Brar termed it a “gang war” and said the attack was a result of personal enmity and not because of political rivalry.
“One of the injured, Balbir Singh, has identified one of the assailants as Jagseer Singh alias Seera,” the SSP said.
The police officer said that Lakha and Seera had old rivalry and the firing was part of “gang war” between them.