Three armed men allegedly associated with gangster Lawrence Bishnoi carried out a firing incident at a supplements store in Haryana’s Sonipat on Friday, creating panic among people in the vicinity. The daylight attack took place at Pahal Nutrition and was recorded on CCTV cameras installed inside the shop. According to police sources, the assailants arrived on a motorcycle and entered the store before executing the attack.
CCTV footage showed one of the attackers handing a slip of paper to the store manager seated at the counter. Moments later, the man pulled out a firearm and attempted to shoot the manager, but the weapon reportedly malfunctioned, allowing the manager to duck behind the counter and escape harm. The attacker then fled the premises. Another video clip captured one of the assailants firing shots at the shop’s glass facade while an accomplice was seen brandishing a gun as they escaped.
Investigators suspect the firing is linked to an ongoing gang rivalry between the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and the Rohit Godara gang. Police said the store owner had allegedly received an extortion demand of Rs 2 crore two months earlier in the name of Rohit Godara. Shortly after the incident, a social media post surfaced claiming responsibility for the attack, allegedly issued by gangster Randeep Malik on behalf of the Bishnoi gang. The message accused the shop owners of paying protection money to rival gang members and issued threats against others, including a warning directed at Haryanvi singer Masoom Sharma. Police stated that the authenticity of the post is still being verified.
Authorities have identified two of the suspected shooters as Kapil and Ashish Malik, both residents of Sonipat. Officials believe the attack was carried out under instructions from Randeep Malik, who is suspected to be operating from abroad. Police are analysing CCTV footage and pursuing leads to apprehend the accused. The incident has intensified concerns among local traders and residents, who fear the growing influence of organised criminal networks in the region.
