Ludhiana: Panic gripped the Lohara Bridge area late Saturday night after unknown assailants fired multiple rounds outside a local businessman’s residence, leaving shattered glass and bullet-ridden walls in their wake. Police suspect the attack to be an extortion attempt linked to the notorious gangster Kaushal Chaudhary’s network.
The incident took place in the Daba police station limits, where residents reported hearing a volley of gunshots outside the upscale home. Preliminary investigations suggest that between 20 and 25 bullets were fired, some of which pierced the balcony glass and left visible marks on the building’s exterior.
Adding a chilling twist, a handwritten note was found near the scene, bearing the name of the Kaushal Chaudhary Group and demanding a ransom of ₹5 crore from the businessman. Police believe this may be an attempt at intimidation, possibly linked to recent patterns of gang-related extortion across the region.
Officers from Daba police station arrived shortly after receiving the report and have since sealed off the area. Forensic teams examined the scene, while police have begun reviewing CCTV footage from nearby cameras in an effort to trace the attackers.
“Around two dozen rounds were fired. We have recovered a letter referencing a well-known gang and a ransom amount. The investigation is ongoing, and efforts are being made to identify the suspects,” a senior police official said on condition of anonymity.
While the businessman and his family escaped unharmed, the incident has sparked fear among local residents, raising concerns over the growing audacity of criminal groups operating in urban areas.
Authorities have yet to confirm whether the businessman had received prior threats or had any known link to the gang named in the note. Police are also investigating the authenticity of the ransom demand and whether it is directly connected to the Kaushal Chaudhary gang or if it is an attempt by other criminals to mislead investigators.
In the meantime, security has been tightened in the area, and police patrols have been increased to reassure the public and deter further incidents.