In a dramatic turn of events, Aslam Shabbir Jahagirdar, a key accused in the infamous 2012 Pune serial bomb blasts case, was shot dead in broad daylight on Wednesday. The incident occurred in Shrirampur town, located in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar district, sending shockwaves through the region.
Daylight Attack Outside Graveyard
Aslam Jahagirdar, popularly known as Bunty Jahagirdar, was returning home on a relative's moped after paying homage at a local graveyard. According to police reports, two unidentified men on a motorcycle intercepted him and opened fire. Jahagirdar sustained multiple gunshot wounds, with bullets hitting his chest and stomach.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital, but medical professionals declared him dead upon arrival. Inspector Nitin Deshmukh of the Shrirampur city police station confirmed the fatal nature of the injuries. The entire attack was captured on closed-circuit television cameras installed in the vicinity, providing crucial evidence.
Assailants Surrender, High-Profile Investigation Launched
In a surprising development later that night, the two alleged assailants surrendered before the police in Shirdi. The process for their formal arrest was underway as authorities began a detailed probe. Considering the gravity of the case, which involves a former terror accused, Nashik range Inspector General of Police Dattatray Karale personally reached Shrirampur to oversee the investigation.
Shrirampur Deputy Superintendent of Police Jaydatta Bhavar stated that the police would interrogate the two men thoroughly once they obtained their custody. Meanwhile, Jahagirdar's body was transferred to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar for a post-mortem examination.
Jahagirdar's Notorious Past and Political Links
The victim was no stranger to controversy and legal troubles. He was arrested by the Maharashtra Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in January 2013 for allegedly supplying arms and logistical support to the suspects involved in the JM Road blasts. On August 1, 2012, five coordinated low-intensity explosions had shaken Pune's bustling JM Road, injuring one person.
Jahagirdar had been out on bail since 2023. His criminal record was extensive, with a total of 17 First Information Reports registered against him since 1997, painting a picture of a long-standing history with the law.
Furthermore, his family maintained significant political clout at the local level. His mother had served as a former member of the Shrirampur Municipal Council. Following her death, his sister-in-law, Tarannum Shaikh Jahagirdar, won the subsequent municipal by-election. More recently, in the just-concluded polls for the municipal council, his cousin, Rais Shaikh Jahagirdar, was elected as a councillor from ward number 8.
The killing raises numerous questions, with investigators now tasked with unraveling the motive behind the targeted attack—whether it was connected to his past terror-related activities, his criminal history, or other local disputes.
