ZIRAKPUR, Nov 9– Unidentified men on a motorcycle opened fire at a hotel employee on the Zirakpur–Patiala National Highway in broad daylight on Saturday, marking the third such incident in Mohali district within nine days, police said.
The victim, identified as Gagan, son of the owner of MM Crown hotel, was targeted near the hotel entrance. Witnesses said the assailants fired five shots before escaping. Two parked cars were hit by bullets, though no injuries were reported.
Police said Gagan identified one of the masked shooters as Shubham Pandit of Yamunanagar. “We are investigating all angles, including personal enmity,” said Zirakpur Station House Officer Satinder Singh. “The incident appears to have roots in an old rivalry.”
Following the firing, police teams reached the site and cordoned off the area. CCTV footage from the hotel and surrounding establishments is being examined, and statements from staff and locals are being recorded.
Residents expressed alarm over the rising gun violence in the region. In an earlier incident on Thursday night, two bike-borne men sprayed 25 rounds at a house in Phase 7, damaging three cars parked outside. The Kala Rana gang later claimed responsibility for that attack.
Police said they are investigating whether Saturday’s shooting has any connection to recent gang-related violence in the district.
