Ludhiana: A 27-year-old sand and gravel trader and his sister-in-law were injured when three men on a motorcycle allegedly opened fire at their car near Eldeco police post in the early hours of Thursday. One bullet hit the trader near his stomach before grazing his sister-in-law’s arm and striking her near the neck. Another bullet hit the car’s bonnet. A friend accompanying them escaped unhurt.The injured were identified as Jaspal Singh, 27, a resident of Talwandi village, and his sister-in-law, Priya. Jaspal’s friend Akash was also in the car when the incident took place.The incident took place around 2:30am, when the victims were on their way to Talwandi village from a relative’s place. They were about 400 metres from Eldeco police post when three men on a motorcycle allegedly fired two shots at their car and fled.The injured were rushed to a private hospital, where they are undergoing treatment.Initially, it was suspected that the assailants had targeted Jaspal to rob his Hyundai i10. However, police said the preliminary investigation pointed towards a possible rivalry behind the attack.Additional deputy commissioner of police (ADCP-I) Sameer Verma said Jaspal belonged to Ferozepur but currently lived in Talwandi village of Ludhiana.Verma said the bullet that struck Jaspal near his stomach grazed Priya’s arm before hitting her near the neck. Both injured persons were stable, he added.The ADCP said Jaspal had a criminal record, with around 12 FIRs registered against him under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the Arms Act and scuffles, among other cases.Verma said police teams were trying to trace the accused. An FIR has been registered in the case.
