A shocking incident rocked Punjab on Friday morning after Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Lucky Oberoi was gunned down in public near a gurdwara in Jalandhar’s Model Town area. The killing took place during the early hours, triggering political outrage and raising fresh questions over the state’s law and order situation.
According to initial information, Lucky Oberoi had reached the gurdwara around 8:15 am, following his regular routine. As he was parking his Thar SUV outside the religious place, two attackers arrived on a two-wheeler and opened fire at close range. Witnesses said multiple gunshots were heard, creating panic in the area.
Oberoi suffered critical injuries after being hit in the chest and head. He was immediately rushed to a nearby private hospital, but doctors declared him dead during treatment. Reports suggest that the attackers fired around seven to eight bullets before fleeing the spot.
Soon after the incident, senior police officials, including the Superintendent of Police from the investigation wing, reached the crime scene. The area was cordoned off, forensic teams were called in, and an intensive probe was launched to identify the attackers and establish the motive behind the killing.
Police are examining CCTV footage from nearby locations and questioning locals to trace the assailants. No arrests have been announced so far.
Political reactions poured in within hours. Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, strongly criticised the state government, claiming that the murder showed a complete breakdown of law and order under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. He questioned public safety, stating that if leaders of the ruling party were not secure, ordinary citizens stood little chance.
The Bharatiya Janata Party also attacked the AAP government. BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla said Punjab was witnessing a collapse of law and order and blamed the ruling party for failing to control crime.
AAP leaders confirmed Oberoi’s death and said they were shocked by the incident. Party leader Gurcharan Singh Channi stated that Oberoi was shot multiple times and assured that the party would cooperate fully with the police investigation.
