Gym Owner Shot Dead in Haryana; Delhi Gym Fired At, Bishnoi Gang Claims Responsibility

CHANDIGARH: A gym owner was shot dead by unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants in Haryana's Hansi on Thursday, police said. The incident occurred near Fawwara Chowk while the victim was conducting an outdoor workout session with a group of young men and women, according to news agency PTI. According to police, the attackers arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire at the gym owner from close range, firing around 10 rounds before fleeing the spot. CCTV footage of the incident reportedly captured the assailants approaching the victim and carrying out the shooting before escaping. Another person was also injured in the firing and is receiving treatment, officials said. Police have launched an investigation and are working to identify and trace the accused. In a similar incident, two motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly opened fire outside a gym in outer Delhi's Paschim Vihar area in the early hours of Thursday, police said. A social media post later surfaced claiming responsibility for the incident on behalf of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang. The gym is owned by two residents of Rajouri Garden and has a popular Punjabi singer as its brand ambassador, officials said. According to preliminary information, the attackers arrived on a motorcycle at around 4 am and fired at least seven rounds at the gym before fleeing the scene. Police were informed about the incident at around 5.15 am when caretakers reached the fitness centre and discovered signs of firing. No injuries were reported in the incident. Forensic teams have examined the crime scene, while CCTV footage from the area is being analysed as part of the investigation. Soon after the firing, a social media post surfaced in which the Anil Pandit group of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang allegedly claimed responsibility for the attack. Police said they are verifying the authenticity of the claim and investigating the motive behind the incident. Officials said all possible angles, including extortion, gang rivalry and personal enmity, are being examined. A case has been registered and efforts are underway to identify and trace the accused, police added.