PRATAPGARH (UP) (2 March 2026) — A 52-year-old man was fatally shot in the Patti police station area of Pratapgarh on Monday. Police officials have characterized the killing as a fallout of a long-standing personal rivalry. Following the incident, local authorities launched a swift investigation and have already taken one suspect into custody for questioning.
Details of the Incident
The victim, identified as Mohammad Salim, a resident of Ramnagar village, was targeted while he was returning home after inspecting his agricultural fields.
- The Attack: According to eyewitness accounts and family statements, assailants intercepted Salim on a secluded path and opened fire. He sustained multiple gunshot wounds and succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
- Immediate Response: Local villagers who heard the gunshots rushed to the spot and alerted the authorities. A team led by Additional Superintendent of Police (East) Shailendra Lal arrived shortly after to secure the area and initiate forensic evidence collection.
Investigation and Detention
Preliminary inquiries by the Patti police suggest that Salim had been embroiled in an ongoing dispute with another local family for several years.
- Suspect Detained: Based on the names provided by the victim’s family, police have detained one individual. While his identity has not been formally released pending further interrogation, officials believe he was directly involved in the planning or execution of the shooting.
- Motive: “The primary motive appears to be an old enmity. We are investigating if there were any immediate provocations or land-related disputes that triggered this specific attack,” ASP Shailendra Lal told reporters.
- Security Deployment: To prevent any communal or retaliatory tension in Ramnagar village, additional police personnel have been deployed as a precautionary measure.
Current Status
The body has been sent to the district hospital for a post-mortem examination. Senior officials have assured the family that a formal FIR is being registered under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and multiple teams have been formed to nab the remaining suspects who are currently absconding.
Sources
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “UP: Man shot dead over old rivalry in Pratapgarh, suspect detained” (2 March 2026)
- Amar Ujala: “Pratapgarh Crime News: Mohammad Salim shot dead in Ramnagar village” (3 March 2026)
- Dainik Bhaskar: “Enmity claims life in Pratapgarh; police detain prime suspect” (3 March 2026)
- Uttar Pradesh Police: Official Briefing by ASP (East) Shailendra Lal (2 March 2026)
Leave a Reply