A violent shooting incident near the Babulkheda-Chicholi area under Khaparkheda police station has left one man, with criminal record, dead and another critically injured in what police suspect to be an act of revenge linked to a year-old murder.
The deceased, Pawan Dhiraj Hiranwar (28) of Kachipura, Nagpur, was shot dead, while Shailesh alias Bunty Hiranwar (31) sustained critical injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at Mayo Hospital.
According to preliminary investigations, Pawan, Shailesh, and their friends—Siddharth Kowe, Sonu Shendre, and Himanshu Gajbhiye—were returning to Nagpur after visiting the Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple in Babulkheda. At around 4 p.m., their car (MH-47-BK-0323) was intercepted by motorcycle-borne attackers, who opened fire using a country-made firearm.
While the group tried to escape towards a nearby field, Pawan was shot twice in the head and once in the chest, succumbing to his injuries at the scene. Shailesh sustained two gunshot wounds and remains in critical condition.
Police suspect the attack was orchestrated as retaliation for the murder of Saroj Khan, who was killed a year ago near the Shankarnagar petrol pump. Pawan Hiranwar and his associates were reportedly involved in Saroj’s murder. Sources allege Saroj’s brother, Shekhu Khan, along with his accomplice, Parvesh Gupta, planned and executed the attack after tracking Pawan’s movements.