Panchkula (Haryana), December 23:
In a tragic incident early Monday morning, three individuals, including a woman, were shot dead in the parking lot of Hotel Sultanate in Panchkula’s Pinjore area. The victims had attended a birthday celebration at the hotel before the fatal shooting. The attack occurred around 2:00 AM as the partygoers were preparing to leave.
Three people were murdered late at night in the parking lot of a restaurant on Morni Road in #Panchkula, Haryana. According to information, the three deceased had come to celebrate a birthday and suddenly some people came in a car and started indiscriminately firing on them. pic.twitter.com/eJ4X2G2d1l
— Nikhil Choudhary (@NikhilCh_) December 23, 2024
The deceased have been identified as Vicky and Vineet, both residents of Delhi, and Nia, a woman from Hisar. Police suspect the attack is linked to a gang war, as Vicky, one of the victims, had a criminal record and was involved in several cases.
Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime), Panchkula, Arvind Kamboj, confirmed that the victims were at the hotel to attend the birthday party when the shooting took place. “Vicky had a criminal background and was previously involved in various cases,” Kamboj added. He also mentioned that the police were reviewing CCTV footage and collecting other evidence to identify the suspects.
The attackers, who are believed to have been waiting in the hotel parking lot, fled the scene immediately after the shooting. Authorities are working to determine the exact motive behind the incident, though it is suspected to be a result of gang rivalry.
The police received the first report of the crime at approximately 3:30 AM. Upon arrival, they discovered the bodies of the victims and had them sent for post-mortem examination. Witnesses claimed to have heard nearly 12 gunshots during the attack. Nia was reportedly shot in the chest, while Vicky and Vineet were struck in the head.
The authorities have already notified the families of the deceased. Investigations into the gang war theory are ongoing, as police continue to gather clues and analyze the circumstances surrounding the event.