LUDHIANA — Two people were injured when three unidentified assailants on a motorcycle opened fire on a car on National Highway 44 near the Eldeco police post, in the vicinity of the Jalandhar Bypass in Ludhiana, at about 2:30 a.m. on Thursday, police said.

Source: Mirror Now

The injured were identified as Jaspal Singh, 27, a sand and gravel trader, and his sister-in-law Priya. They were travelling in a Hyundai i10 with a friend, Akash, while returning home to Talwandi village after visiting a relative. The attackers fired two shots at the car before fleeing, Mirror Now reported. Akash was unharmed.

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (ADCP-I) Sameer Verma said one bullet struck Jaspal near his stomach before grazing Priya's arm and brushing against her neck. Both were taken to a private hospital and were in stable condition, according to the report. The Tribune, in its own report of the same incident, described the attack as a robbery bid near the Jalandhar Bypass in which two people were injured.

Police said an FIR has been registered and a search operation launched to identify and arrest the three suspects. While the incident was initially speculated to be a botched robbery attempt, Mirror Now reported that investigators are now focusing on a possible personal rivalry as the motive — a motive that has not been established and remains under investigation.

ADCP Verma said police are also examining Jaspal Singh's background and stated that about 12 FIRs are registered against him, involving charges including drug peddling, Arms Act violations and scuffles, according to Mirror Now. Those earlier cases are police statements about his record and have not been adjudicated in this report. Police said they are reviewing evidence to track down the assailants.