A violent rivalry between two criminal factions turned the city into a battlefield in the early hours of Saturday. In a daring multi-stage attack, a group of armed assailants first opened fire at the residence of a history-sheeter in Ashoka Garden and subsequently stormed the Hamidia Hospital’s emergency ward to finish the hit, sending patients and staff into a State of absolute panic. The incident began around 4:45 am when shooters targeted Imran, the son of local gangster Lallu Rais. Following a chase where eight rounds were fired, the attackers tracked the wounded victim to the State’s premier tertiary care hospital, Hamidia, where they opened fire again inside the medical facility.

 

According to the victim’s statement, Imran had left his house at 4:30 am to offer prayers at a nearby mosque. While he was standing at Tiranga Chowk, suspects identified as Shadab Gate, Shakib Gate, Shahvar Maulana, Guddu Station, and Anas arrived on scooters and began firing indiscriminately. Imran attempted to flee toward his home, but the assailants pursued him, eventually shooting him in the leg. Ashoka Garden Station House Officer Anurag Lal stated that even after the victim managed to lock himself inside his house, the five accused fired five more rounds at the building, an act captured on the residence’s CCTV cameras.

 

The violence did not stop at the residential doorstep. As the family rushed the bleeding Imran to Hamidia Hospital for emergency treatment, the suspects reached the hospital premises. In a massive security breach, the shooters entered the emergency ward and fired directly at Lallu Rais. “The bullet narrowly missed the target, shattering a window pane and hitting the wall near the medical staff,” confirmed Kohefiza Station House Officer KG Shukla. Security guards on duty also had a narrow escape. The hospital, which remains crowded with patients and relatives, witnessed scenes of chaos as people scrambled for cover. Lallu Rais alleged that the attack is a fallout of a two-year-old enmity.

 

In 2024, Imran had allegedly attacked Shadab Gate’s brother, leading to serious injuries where the latter’s fingers were severed. The current attack is believed to be a direct act of retribution for that incident. Furthermore, Rais claimed the attackers are kingpins of illegal gambling and betting syndicates operating across various zones. He alleged that he had been exposing their illegal operations via video evidence, leading to police raids, which fuelled their murderous intent. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Anil Bajpai stated that separate cases have been registered at Ashoka Garden and Kohefiza police stations. “The accused have been identified through CCTV footage from both the residence and the hospital. Multiple teams have been deployed to track them down, and security has been heightened around the hospital,” the ACP Bajpai added.