Shiv Sena (UBT) Thane division chief shot dead; police hunt suspects
Shiv Sena (UBT) Thane division head Pradeep Purnekar was shot and assaulted by unidentified men on Tuesday night; he died in hospital.
A local leader of the Shiv Sena (UBT) was shot dead in Thane city on Tuesday night after unidentified assailants opened fire on him and also assaulted him, police said.
Pradeep Purnekar, the Thane 'vibhag pramukh' or division head of the Uddhav Thackeray-led party, was attacked around 9 p.m. in an area under the jurisdiction of the Kapurbawdi police station.
Two rounds were fired at him during the assault. He was rushed to Infinity Hospital near R Mall on Ghodbunder Road, where medical staff began emergency treatment. He had suffered serious bullet injuries and died during treatment.
The attack caused tension in the locality and raised concern among local party workers and supporters.
A police team reached the spot after being informed and secured the area while collecting forensic evidence. Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the site and from surrounding arterial roads to trace the routes taken by the attackers, and checkpoints, or 'nakabandi', have been set up at major exits in Thane to catch the suspects.
The motive behind the attack is not yet known, police said, adding that all possible angles, including political rivalry and personal enmity, are being examined.
Senior party leaders demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible and a swift investigation into the incident.