SRINAGAR: A gym in Delhi’s Paschim Vihar area came under gunfire in the early hours of Thursday when two motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly opened fire outside the premises, police said. A social media post purportedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang later claimed responsibility for the incident, according to News18.
No injuries were reported in the firing. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation, while efforts are underway to trace the attackers.
According to preliminary information cited by the Free Press Journal, the assailants arrived on a motorcycle at around 4 am and allegedly fired at least seven rounds at the gym before fleeing the scene. The incident was reported to the police at approximately 5.15 am after caretakers arrived at the fitness centre.
Police said forensic teams had examined the crime scene, and CCTV footage from the area was being scrutinised as part of the investigation.
Soon after the firing, a social media post surfaced in which the Anil Pandit group, purportedly linked to the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, allegedly claimed responsibility for the attack. Police said they were 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, were being examined.
The gym is owned by two residents of Rajouri Garden, police said. According to NDTV, the facility is part of the 24HS Fitness franchise, which is associated with Punjabi singer Guru Randhawa.
Police said further investigation was underway.
The Lawrence Bishnoi gang is a transnational criminal syndicate with an estimated 700 to 800 members. Although its 31-year-old leader has been imprisoned in India since 2015, investigators allege that he continues to direct operations from behind bars. The organisation has been linked to crimes including extortion, arms smuggling and high-profile killings. It has also been implicated in the murders of singer Sidhu Moose Wala and politician Baba Siddique, and has been designated a terrorist entity by the Government of Canada.
