NCP (SP) leader attacked by unidentified group near Ahmednagar–Beed border

Police said Ram Khade sustained multiple injuries, and at least three of his associates were also wounded

Pune: A senior Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader was attacked near Maharashtra’s Mandli village on the Ahmednagar–Beed border during the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday by a group of 10 to 15 unidentified people, police said.

Ram Khade was initially admitted to a private hospital in Ahilyanagar and later shifted to a Pune hospital for advanced treatment. (Representative photo)

Ram Khade, a long-time NCP office-bearer, was travelling from Mandli towards Beed when the group intercepted his vehicle. They first vandalised the car, smashing its side mirrors and pelting it with stones, before assaulting him with weapons.

According to the Ahilyanagar police, preliminary investigation suggests they used swords and sticks and allegedly carried firearms.

Police said Khade sustained multiple injuries, and at least three of his associates were also wounded.

Khade was initially admitted to a private hospital in Ahilyanagar and later shifted to a Pune hospital for advanced treatment.

With less than a week left for the first round of local body polls in Maharashtra, political tensions are already high.

Local police have registered a case and launched a probe. “We are examining CCTV footage, looking for eyewitnesses and analysing forensic evidence. As of now, no arrests have been made,” a senior police officer said.