Batala: A man was killed and three to four others were injured after a dispute between two groups escalated into a gunfight at Simbal Chowk in Punjab’s Batala on Friday, police said.
According to preliminary investigations, the confrontation began over an argument related to the removal of a vehicle. What started as a verbal altercation quickly turned violent when members of both groups allegedly opened fire on each other in the busy locality.
The exchange of gunfire triggered panic among residents and passersby as shots rang out in the area. One person died at the scene, while several injured individuals were rushed to nearby hospitals for treatment.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Batala, Dr. Mehtab Singh, visited the spot and reviewed the situation. He said that initial findings have not indicated any long-standing rivalry or previous enmity between the two groups involved in the clash.
“There is no indication so far of any prior dispute between the groups. An argument broke out over an issue and later led to firing. One person lost his life, while members from both sides sustained injuries and were admitted to hospital,” the SSP said.
Police teams have cordoned off the area and launched a detailed investigation to establish the exact sequence of events. Authorities are examining CCTV footage, collecting forensic evidence and recording statements of witnesses to identify all those involved in the incident.
Further legal action will be taken based on the outcome of the investigation, police added.
