Jalandhar, Feb 6: A local Aam Aadmi Party leader and financier was killed Friday morning after being shot multiple times outside a gurdwara in Jalandhar’s Model Town. The victim, Lucky Oberoi, was sitting in his vehicle after offering prayers when unidentified assailants opened fire in the upscale neighborhood.
The attack took place around 8 am as Oberoi prepared to leave the religious premises in his Mahindra Thar. Witnesses noted that the shooters, who were riding an Activa scooter, fired four shots at close range before fleeing the scene. Oberoi sustained critical injuries to his head and chest and was rushed to a nearby private hospital, where he was later declared dead.
A sewadar present at the gurdwara mentioned that the timing of the attack coincided with local ceremonies, causing brief confusion among those nearby. “Lucky Oberoi was a regular visitor who came every morning. He had paid obeisance and had just sat in his Thar. He was still putting on his shoes in the vehicle when he was gunned down by youths riding an Activa,” the sewadar said.
Local AAP leadership indicated that the nature of the attack suggested a planned ambush. Rajwinder Thiara, the AAP Jalandhar Cantt halqa incharge, noted that the perpetrators seemed familiar with the leader’s schedule. “It was Oberoi’s daily routine to visit the gurdwara and the assailants appeared to be aware of his movements,” Thiara said.
The victim’s family has a history of political involvement in the area, as his wife, Simarjot Kaur, represented the party in the 2024 councillor elections. Law enforcement officials have cordoned off the area and are currently examining CCTV footage from the Model Town locality to track the escape route of the shooters.
