A horrifying shootout at a wedding in Ludhiana, which claimed the lives of two innocent guests, has been traced back to a failed peacemaking attempt between two rival gangsters, police have revealed. The incident, which saw over 30 rounds fired, unfolded after a common friend's mediation between gangsters Ankur and Shubham backfired spectacularly.
A Fateful Confrontation at the Wedding Venue
The groom, Varinder Kapoor, had invited both bitter rivals to his wedding. According to police, the gangsters, Ankur and Shubham, encountered each other inside the wedding hall for the first time around 11:30 PM. The meeting instantly turned hostile, leading to a heated exchange of words. Their respective friends managed to separate them initially, and Shubham along with his associates walked out onto the lawn.
An hour later, a common friend identified as JK Dawar decided to intervene. Dawar escorted Ankur out to the lawn with the intention of mediating a truce and ending the long-standing rivalry between the two men. However, instead of cooling tempers, the move ignited the powder keg.
Mediation Backfires, Gunfire Erupts
Police state that the argument between Ankur and Shubham flared up once again. By this time, Ankur had already called for reinforcements. His aides, including Jasvir Singh Jassa and Rubal, had arrived at the wedding venue. The situation quickly spiraled out of control.
Ankur allegedly fired the first shot, prompting immediate and fierce retaliation from Shubham and his men. The wedding venue was suddenly torn apart by gunfire as panicked guests scrambled for cover. In the chaotic crossfire, the mediation attempt turned tragic. JK Dawar was injured, and two wedding guests were fatally shot.
The deceased were identified as Vasu Chopra, a close friend of the groom, and Neeru Chhabran, an aunt of the groom. Their lives were cut short in a violent clash they had no part in.
Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation
In the aftermath, police have registered an FIR naming 12 accused. So far, only six have been identified, and only Ankur has been arrested. In a significant development, three security guards deployed at the wedding venue have been arrested for allegedly allowing the miscreants to enter the premises while carrying weapons.
The investigation is now heavily reliant on video evidence. Police are scouring through all available footage, including recordings from CCTV cameras, professional wedding videographers, and videos shot by guests on their mobile phones. This evidence is crucial to piecing together the exact sequence of events and identifying all the accused who are still at large.
The Ludhiana wedding shootout has sent shockwaves through the city, highlighting the dangers of gang rivalries spilling into public spaces and turning joyous occasions into scenes of tragedy.
