AAP leader Lucky Oberoi was shot dead by unidentified assailants outside a gurdwara in Punjab’s Jalandhar on Friday morning, in a targeted attack that has once again raised serious concerns over law and order in the state.
The incident occurred around 7:50 am when Oberoi was coming out of the Model Town gurdwara after offering prayers, according to information accessed by Hindustan Times. Two bike-borne attackers arrived at the spot and fired eight to ten rounds using what police described as highly sophisticated weapons.
Visuals from the scene showed shattered glass inside Oberoi’s black Thar SUV, indicating the intensity of the firing. The attackers fled immediately after the shooting.
Oberoi was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Jalandhar Commissioner of Police Dhanpreet Kaur Randhawa later confirmed that he succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.
Soon after news of Oberoi’s death emerged, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) criticised the AAP-led Punjab government, alleging a breakdown of law and order in the state. BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonwalla said in a post on X that Punjab was witnessing repeated incidents of political violence.
Police officials said a detailed investigation is underway and efforts are being made to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. CCTV footage from nearby areas is being examined, and forensic teams have been deployed at the crime scene.
The killing comes just weeks after another AAP leader, Jarmal Singh, was shot dead in Amritsar on January 4. Singh, who was also the sarpanch of Valthoa village, was attending a wedding when unidentified assailants opened fire at close range. Following that incident, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had directed police to take strict action against those responsible.
Authorities have assured that all necessary steps are being taken to prevent further violence and ensure accountability.
