RSS leader shot at in Jalandhar, critical

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, August 6

Punjab’s Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) vice-president Brig Jagdish Gagneja (retd) was shot at near Jyoti Chowk here late this evening. He was rushed to hospital with three bullet injuries in the abdomen. 

Gagneja, who was accompanied by his wife Sudesh, stopped his Maruti Swift car (PB08BG0460) while returning home from the market. As he got out, 

he was shot at thrice by two youths on a motorcycle. 

Parmod Kanojia, an eyewitness, said the assailants had their faces covered. “I raised an alarm and with the help of nearby shopkeepers took the victim to Satyam Hospital where the doctors referred him to Patel Hospital,” he said.

The assailants reportedly fired two shots into the air while fleeing to intimidate bystanders. 

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Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal condemned the dastardly attack. He directed state DGP Suresh Arora to form a special investigation team (SIT) to track down the attackers. Deputy Chief  Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal too promised prompt action.

PPCC president Capt Amarinder Singh said, “Such attacks do not portend well for Punjab. Such nefarious designs must be nipped in the bud, lest Punjab is pushed into anarchy.”

As instructed by the CM, a team of surgeons from Ludhiana arrived at the hospital here. Shocked by the incident, BJP national vice-president Avinash Rai Khanna, state president Vijay Sampla, Local Bodies Minister Anil Joshi, CPSs KD Bhandari and Som Parkash, MLA Manoranjan Kalia and Mayor Sunil Jyoti besides SAD minister Ajit Singh Kohar and former Minister Sarwan Singh Phillaur rushed to the hospital.