A 70-year-old retired Army brigadier was killed by a stray bullet during his morning walk in Dehradun after a late-night dispute between two groups at a nightclub escalated into a violent gunfight on the streets.
The victim, Brigadier V. K. Joshi, was walking near a cooperative bank around 6:30 am when he was struck by a bullet fired during a clash between two groups travelling in separate vehicles. According to eyewitnesses, the conflict originated inside a nightclub earlier in the night, reportedly over DJ music.
CCTV footage shows the groups chasing each other in vehicles before opening fire. During the exchange, one of the bullets hit Brigadier Joshi, resulting in his death at the scene. Both vehicles initially fled, though a Toyota Fortuner later crashed near a primary school. Despite the crash, those involved allegedly continued their confrontation before escaping.
Witnesses clarified that the violence was not related to road rage but stemmed from a dispute inside the “Gen Z Club,” which was reportedly operating beyond permitted hours. The state excise department has issued a notice to the nightclub for violating operational time limits.
The incident has raised concerns about regulatory lapses, including how the establishment continued functioning late into the night and whether safety and compliance norms—such as fire clearance and licensing—were properly followed.
Police have launched a manhunt for those involved, with checkpoints set up and search operations underway across multiple areas. A vehicle linked to the incident and the suspected shooter remains untraced.
Brigadier Joshi is survived by his wife, a daughter, and a son who lives outside Dehradun. His body has been sent for post-mortem examination, and a detailed investigation is ongoing.
