Lokmat News Network
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
A land dealer narrowly escaped a gun attack in Nawabpura, Mondha, at 4 am on Wednesday, marking the fourth consecutive day of gunfire incidents in the city. The assailant fired two bullets at him, according to the businessman’s statement. Significantly, a 20-minute power outage during the attack hindered the police from retrieving crucial CCTV footage.
Haseeb Mohammad Salim Qazi (33), engaged in his family’s land trading business, stepped out early in the morning to buy food items for his pre-dawn meal (Roza). The first bullet was fired just 50 meters from his residence. Mistaking it for a burst tyre, he bent down to check his bike, only to face another gunshot from an individual standing ahead. The bullet narrowly missed his ear. He rushed home while the attacker fled. Officers from the Jinsi police station and the crime branch swiftly reached the scene upon being informed. Haseeb has been embroiled in a dispute over a shop rental with two individuals for several months. In his FIR, he named Naser Syed Rauf as a suspect, alleging that the latter had previously framed him in a robbery case and even threatened to implicate him in a POCSO (Protection of Children from Sexual Offences) case.
Power supply disrupted from 3.51 am to 4.19 am
Before the attack, Haseeb was seen stepping out of his house multiple times while engaged in a phone call. Soon after, at 3.51 am, the electricity supply was cut off, remaining down until 4.19 am. His residence is fitted with high-definition CCTV cameras inside and outside. However, the firing occurred in a narrow lane without surveillance coverage.
Police in a Dilemma Over These Questions
Haseeb stated that one bullet narrowly missed his ear while the other struck his bike. However, neighbours reported hearing only a single gunshot.
The businessman claims the bullet left a hole in his bike. Though visible externally, no bullet marks were found inside.
Besides the 20-minute blackout, police had not uncovered any definitive evidence in the surrounding CCTV footage by evening.
Photos: Haseeb, the bullet hole on the bike, and the crime scene.