Gangs of Delhi: Attackers kill man, injure his friend after chase through lanes

While most residents in northeast Delhi’s Brahmpuri , scared by the shooting, locked themselves inside their homes, one of the victims found a door in a house open and rushed inside. Three of the attackers followed him

A man was killed and his associate critically injured in public view by four unidentified assailants who chased them down the lanes of northeast Delhi’s Brahmpuri and into a house, firing indiscriminately, late on Sunday evening.

Delhi Police outside the house where the victim tried to hide in an attempt to escape his attackers in Brahampuri on Sunday night. (HT Photo)

The four suspects remain on the run, but police said on Monday a “gang war” was one of the angles they were looking into after locals alleged the same.

The victims, property dealers identified by police as 35-year-old Wajid and 29-year-old Faiz, had criminal records and disputes with long-standing rivals, investigators added.

The shooting, which left Wajid dead and Faiz critically injured, happened hours before a similar crime took place in the neighbouring Maujpur where a young man was shot dead. Police said close to 50 rounds were fired by assailants in the two cases put together, and an investigation has been launched to see if the incidents were linked.

Eyewitnesses said that in the Brahmpuri shooting, the duo was waylaid before the attackers opened fire on them around 9.30pm. The two had shut their shop in Brahmpuri’s Gali No 12 and were returning home on a two-wheeler when they were stopped by the four men on two motorcycles waiting for them.

As they were chasing Wajid, the men kept trying to gun him down. Wajid entered Gali No 7 and the attackers followed.

While most residents, scared by the shooting, locked themselves inside their homes, Wajid found a door in a house open and rushed inside. Three of the attackers followed him inside the house, while one waited outside.

Police said three families lived in the house.

Kusum, a housewife in her 50s, who was present inside with her three children and daughter-in-law, said the family found itself in a hostage-like situation.

“We were having dinner and were oblivious of what was happening outside. The man who came first was injured and was panicking. He ran to the first-floor and three armed men followed him. We were really scared when they demanded that the man they were chasing be brought out. We locked ourselves in one of the rooms or we would have been killed,” said Kusum.

The men, meanwhile, continued their search and followed their target to the first floor. In an attempt to escape, Wajid jumped down from the first floor and into the path of the fourth attacker waiting outside. The fourth attacker shot several rounds at Wajid, killing him.

Kusum’s son called the police helpline, but the suspects had fled by the time a police team arrived.

Meanwhile, Faiz, who sustained bullet injuries on his foot, thigh and chest, was taken to a hospital by locals. Neighbours said that Wajid was involved in a “gang war,” a charge that denied by the victim’s friend Shakeel.

Deputy commissioner of police (north east) AK Singla said that Wajid had previous criminal records including alleged involvement in murder, attempt to murder and robbery, but added that the last registered case against him dates to 2006.

About the claims made by locals of the incident being a “gang war”, he said these allegations were also being looked into.