A senior BJP leader had a close call when two masked assailants on a motorcycle opened fire at his petrol station in Gurdaspur, Punjab. The incident occurred late at night and follows a series of attacks on BJP figures and establishments in the state, reportedly linked to a Rs 2 crore extortion demand.
Vijay Kumar Soni, a senior BJP official, was at his petrol pump in Bhagwanpur when the attackers, with covered faces, began shooting at him in what seemed like a planned assault. CCTV footage captured the entire event, showing the assailants arriving on a motorcycle and firing at the station.
Soni swiftly retaliated using his licensed revolver, prompting the attackers to flee the scene. Fortunately, there were no casualties, and Soni emerged unscathed due to his quick response. Police responded promptly, launching an investigation and examining the CCTV footage to identify the culprits.
The motive behind the attack, including the extortion threat, is under investigation. This incident adds to a string of recent assaults on BJP leaders and offices in Punjab, raising concerns about the state’s security situation. The BJP has criticized the AAP government for alleged failures in maintaining law and order and protecting political workers.
