A minor boy identified as Natik was shot dead by three motorcycle-borne assailants in Sector 22, Chandigarh, on the evening of Thursday, 23 October 2026, according to police. Natik was travelling in an autorickshaw with a friend when the attackers opened fire, leaving him dead and two others — including the autorickshaw driver — injured. The driver was subsequently admitted to hospital for treatment.

Background to the Shooting

According to police, Natik and his associates had reportedly been locked in a rivalry with another group for approximately two years. On Thursday, the two groups allegedly clashed in Sector 44, Chandigarh. One of the accused reportedly uploaded a video of the altercation on Instagram, raising concerns about the brazen nature of the confrontation. Police initially suspected gang rivalry as the motive but have since shifted their focus to what they describe as an ongoing dispute between the two specific groups. The suspects have reportedly been identified, and further investigation is underway.

Crime Scene and Police Response

Officers reached the scene promptly after being alerted to the shooting. The fatal attack occurred while Natik was in transit, underlining the public nature of the incident. No details on weapon recovery at the scene of Thursday's attack have been confirmed by police so far. Investigators continue to piece together the precise sequence of events.

Pattern of Violence in Chandigarh

This shooting adds to a series of firearms-related incidents that have unsettled Chandigarh in recent weeks. In September, a Chandigarh Police Head Constable identified as Nitin, posted in the Accounts Branch, was shot dead at his official residence in Sector 22. Police took his son into custody in connection with that killing. A country-made pistol was recovered from the scene, and forensic experts were called in to collect evidence. Senior Superintendent of Police Kanwardeep Kaur confirmed to reporters that Nitin's wife and son were present at the time of that crime.

Notably, in a separate earlier incident, Assistant Sub-Inspector Jaswant Singh, posted in Ajnala in Amritsar, narrowly escaped when motorcycle-borne assailants attacked him on 11 September — the bullet passing through his turban. The recurring pattern of motorcycle-borne shooters across the region has drawn attention to broader law-and-order concerns in Punjab and the Union Territory.

Investigation Status

Police have reportedly identified the suspects in Thursday's killing and are in the process of building a case. The use of social media — specifically the uploading of a video of the earlier altercation on Instagram — is also likely to form part of the digital evidence trail. Authorities have not yet confirmed arrests as of the time of reporting.

The investigation remains ongoing, and further details are expected as police tighten the net around the accused.