A trader and his son were shot dead in a shocking attack in a crowded market in Baghpat on Tuesday evening. The incident, which occurred during peak business hours, also resulted in the death of one of the alleged attackers amid the chaos that followed.
The victims, identified as Sohanlal Agrawal and his son Vikas Agrawal, were inside their shop when three masked gunmen arrived at around 5:50 pm and opened fire. According to police, the assailants shot the father and son at close range before attempting to escape. The attack took place in front of numerous shoppers and traders, triggering panic throughout the market.
Investigators believe the murders were linked to a long-standing rivalry stretching back more than a decade. Police said the attack appeared to have been carefully planned, with the suspects allegedly conducting reconnaissance before carrying it out.
As the gunmen tried to flee, Sohanlal's brother Deepak and several local residents rushed out after hearing the gunfire. While some attempted to help the injured victims, others chased the attackers through nearby streets. During the pursuit, one of the suspects, identified as Varun Lohari, was caught by local residents.
Varun was later taken to a hospital, where doctors discovered he had suffered a gunshot wound. He subsequently died during treatment. Authorities are now investigating how he was shot. A mobile phone video circulating on social media reportedly captures the moments after Varun collapsed near a petrol pump, with two gunshots heard in the background. Police are examining whether someone from the crowd may have fired at him.
The entire incident was recorded by CCTV cameras installed in the marketplace. Investigators are reviewing the footage to reconstruct the sequence of events and identify the two remaining suspects who managed to escape.
According to members of the Agrawal family, Varun and his brother Kapil Lohari had previously been associated with extortion activities in the market area. The family owns several shops in the locality and has reportedly been involved in disputes with the Lohari brothers in the past.
Police records indicate that a violent confrontation occurred in the same market in July 2015 when Varun and Kapil arrived there. Kapil was killed during that incident, while Varun was later arrested in an extortion-related case. After serving time in prison, he reportedly relocated to Haridwar before recently returning to Baghpat.
Investigators suspect that Varun came back to the area, surveyed the market, and then executed the attack with two accomplices. The remaining suspects are still at large. Police have formed ten separate teams to trace and arrest them.
The killings sparked widespread anger among local traders, who shut down the market in protest and briefly blocked a major road while demanding swift action against those responsible. Authorities have increased security in the area to prevent further unrest.
The tragedy has had a devastating impact on the Agrawal family. Vikas Agrawal had been married only six months ago, and his wife is reportedly two months pregnant. Police continue to investigate both the murders of Sohanlal and Vikas Agrawal and the circumstances surrounding the death of Varun Lohari.
