A 40-year-old man was shot dead by two motorcycle-borne assailants in north-east Delhi’s Jafrabad on Friday.
The victim had protection from Delhi Police after his elder brother was shot dead in November 2013. After an initial probe, police suspect it to be a case of gang war.
Mohammad Zahid, a resident of Jafrabad, sustained three gunshot wounds and was declared brought dead at Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital. He was returning home with a PSO when the incident took place around 5.30 pm.
Police said Zahid was an eyewitness of the shoot-out in which his elder brother Akhil was killed on November 14 last year.
The case is being heard at Karkardooma Court, and Zahid’s family members claimed that he had been receiving threats and for which he was given police protection.
“Zahid was on a motorcycle with Delhi Police Constable Tejpal. They had pulled over at a spot around 500 metres away from Jafrabad police station when two motorcycle-borne assailants rammed into their motorcycle,” said a police officer.
The four men fell on the ground, but when Zahid and Tejpal were recovering, one of the accused threw chilli powder on Tejpal’s face.
Before the two men could react, the accused also pulled out a pistol and started firing.
Zahid dodged the first shot, but was hit on the chest and head. Tejpal retaliated and managed to fire two rounds, but the attackers escaped unhurt while opening fire in the air.
Zahid was rushed to hospital, but was dead by then. “The two men were wearing helmets during the attack and fired five shots at Zahid of which, he was hit thrice,” the officer added.
Sources said the attack was carried out over a gang war in east Delhi.
Last year, around six men had barged into their house and opened fire at Akhil. Around two dozen rounds were fired in the attack in which Akhil was killed.
Zahid’s family members alleged that he had escaped murder attempts before and police had hardly done anything to ensure his safety. He is survived by his wife and four daughters. “The attackers have been identified and raids are being conducted to nab them,” the officer said.
This is the third shooting incident in Jafrabad in recent months. On September 27, a 26-year-old Delhi Police constable was also shot dead, while another constable, Shivraj Tomar, was also shot dead in the area earlier in the year.
DH News Service
