Mining trader shot dead in Uttarakhand’s US Nagar

The mining trader was shot dead in a village in Uttarakhand’s US Nagar while he was reading a newspaper in the courtyard

A 58-year-old mining trader was shot dead by assailants in a village of Kashipur in Uttarakhand’s US Nagar on Thursday,police said.

A CCTV visual shows the accused fleeing on a bike after firing bullets on the mining trader in Kashipur on Thursday. (Sourced)

He was reading the newspaper when two bike borne assailants arrived there and pumped bullets into his body. He died on the spot.

“We have formed a special investigative team (SIT) under Superintendent of police (crime) to unveil the murder. Our personnel are trying to identify the criminals through scanning CCTV cameras,” said Manjunath TC, senior superintendent of police, US Nagar district.

Mahal Singh, of Zurka village under Kashipur police station was reading a newspaper in the courtyard at about 8.30am on Thursday. Two bike borne assailants arrived there, before Singh could understand they suddenly fired on him and fled riding bike.

Singh tried to chase them but soon fell down. His relatives rushed him to hospital but the doctors declared him dead. His murder not only created panic in villagers but stirred the police force who was engaged in the Kunda woman murder case, in which a farmer’s wife was killed in a cross-firing between Uttar Pradesh police personnel and local villagers when the latter had come to arrest a person accused in illegal sand mining case.

“SIT will comprise a 14-member team including one circle officer of police, one inspector, six sub inspectors and five constables,” said the SSP.

Police are investigating old enmity or rivalry angle in mining trade in Kashipur, said an official.