28-year-old banker slashed with swords at Sector-44 market in Chandigarh

On Monday at around 2 a.m. in a market in Sector 44, eight assailants attacked a 28-year-old banker with swords.

Police revealed that the motive for the attack was the ongoing financial dispute between the victim, Ankur Panwar, and the accused, Puneet Aorora, who has already been arrested.

This hostility has led to several confrontations and attempted attacks from both sides in the past. The latest attack left Ankur, a resident of Sector 44-D, with severe stab wounds on his back. He is still in critical condition at Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32.

According to police, Puneet and his accomplices arrived at the market in a black Hyundai Verna, a white Maruti Swift and several motorcycles.

Armed with sharp weapons, they launched a brutal attack on Ankur and his two friends while they were returning home.

Ankur’s friend Abhinav Tomar responded by firing two rounds of shots into the air to scare off the attackers. The shots caused the attackers to flee, preventing further escalation of violence. Police said surveillance footage captured Tomar pointing the gun in the air and firing the shots.

Khushvinder Singh told police that he lived in the same house in Sector 44-D as Ankur and two other friends.

On Sunday evening, they went out to buy pizza but found the shop closed. When they were returning home, they were attacked near their home by Puneet and his accomplices.

Upon arrival at the scene, police found two empty cartridge cases and recorded statements from Khushvinder and other witnesses.

Long-term rivalry

The investigation revealed that Ankur and his accomplices — Abhinav, Khushvinder, Siddhant Thakur and Harinder Deswal — had conspired to kill Puneet on several occasions. The feud between the duo culminated in the brutal attack on Sunday evening.

The police have filed cross FIRs under Sections 109, 190, 192 (2) and 190 (3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant sections of the Arms Act against both the groups. Investigators said they have detained all Ankur’s aides from the spot. Puneet has also been detained while his accomplices, who attacked Ankur, are being sought.

Police are continuing to investigate the incident, looking into whether the two groups decided to confront each other at the market, which led to the brutal attack. Surveillance footage from the area is also being reviewed to confirm the facts.