Masked gunmen open fire near Qutub Minar, 1 dead

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Masked gunmen open fire near Qutub Minar, 1 dead - The Times of India

Tourists enjoying the sights at Qutub Minar on a sunny Monday afternoon ran for their lives as four-five masked men suddenly fired indiscriminately at a group of men seated just outside the World Heritage monument, killing one person and leaving another with critical injuries.

Police said the shooting took place over a property dispute. The victim was identified as Sonu Sejwal, 28, a fire attendant at a five-star hotel in central Delhi. Sejwal's family said he was mistakenly targeted. Another person, Sandeep, 30, a property dealer in Lado Sarai village, is fighting for his life in hospital.

Locals said around 10 rounds were fired in quick succession at a group of men sitting at a tea stall about 50 metres from the monument. The gunshots spread panic and chaos in the area, with many visitors taking cover thinking it was a terror strike. No arrests were made till late evening.

The incident was reported around 2pm on the Flower-Sellers Road, just about 50 metres from the main gate of the Qutub Minar.

The suspects came from Aurobindo Marg in two cars, a Skoda and a Tata Safari, and stopped at the tea stall. Two masked men, armed with pistols of 7.65 caliber, got out of the Safari and started firing indiscriminately at the men at the tea stall. Two-three others in the Skoda joined in and fired a few more rounds at the men.

"There were four-five men sitting at the stall who started running as soon as the firing started. Two of the bullets hit Sonu on his chest and stomach while his friend Sandeep was hit in his lower abdomen. Sonu kept calling for help and tried to drag himself to escape more bullets," said Ashok Kumar, who owns a stall nearby.

Two others, Krishan and Narender, who were not hit, tried to chase the men as they were getting into their cars. However, the occupants of the Tata Safari fired another round at them and the bullet accidentally hit an Alto car. The attackers then fled towards Saket.

Tourists, particularly foreigners, were in trauma over the shooting. "The first thing that struck me was that it was a Mumbai-type attack, as the gunshots appeared to be coming from an automatic weapon. I ran towards the parking lot to take cover," said Ankit John, an Indian origin-US citizen.

Teams from the Mehrauli police station, STF sleuths and the special staff rushed to the spot. Sonu and Sandeep were taken to the AIIMS trauma centre where Sonu succumbed to his injuries and Sandeep was shifted to Max hospital in Saket. A team was also tasked with maintaining law and order in the area as locals expressed anger against the police and a mob began to build up.

Several teams from the special cell, crime branch and special task force have been pressed into service to solve the case. The suspects have been identified and police are looking for one Neeraj and his friends, a property dealer from the area, a source said.

TOI made several attempts to contact JCP (south-eastern range) Vivek Gogia for a comment, but he did not respond to calls and messages.

Locals said Sandeep and his friends were property dealers in Lado Sarai village and has a running dispute with another property dealer, Neeraj, who is absconding since the incident.

Two of Neeraj's friends have been detained from Lado Sarai village. A police team has also been sent to Gurgaon to nab the other accused. The two cars used by the attackers were captured in CCTV footage from the area. One car has a Haryana numberplate

 

[Blackwater]

Gang war nothing to do with tourist