Chandigarh chemist shop cashier shot dead in Sector 11 by masked gunmen
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A cashier at a chemist shop in Chandigarh's Sector 11 market was shot dead in broad daylight by two masked men on Saturday, 13 June, in a brazen attack captured on CCTV footage. The victim, an employee of Sri Kumar Medical Hall — located near the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) — was fired upon at point-blank range inside the store.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to police, the two assailants entered the shop and stood casually near the cashier's counter, engaging in conversation while a second employee was also present. Within seconds, one of the men drew an automatic pistol and fired multiple rounds at the victim. CCTV footage from inside the store recorded the sequence of events in full.
Two other individuals, believed to be shop employees, narrowly escaped by fleeing the premises. Separate footage from market-area cameras showed bystanders running in panic after the gunshots rang out.
Escape and Immediate Response
After the shooting, the two masked assailants fled the scene along with a third accomplice who had been waiting in the market's parking area. All three escaped on a motorcycle. The victim, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds, was rushed to the nearby PGIMER in a critical condition, where he was subsequently declared dead.
Police have so far declined to disclose a motive, stating it was too early to comment on the reason behind the attack.
Second Broad-Daylight Killing in Chandigarh This Year
This is the second major targeted killing in Chandigarh within a few months. On 19 March, a 31-year-old property dealer, Chamanpreet Singh, was shot dead in the city's Sector 9 locality — a VIP residential area — while seated in his SUV after leaving a gym. In that incident too, two assailants arrived on a motorcycle; one approached the vehicle and opened fire before both fled.
The pattern of both killings — motorcycle-borne assailants, daylight timing, and swift escape — has drawn attention to the city's rising targeted crime profile. Chandigarh, long regarded as one of India's safer urban centres, is facing mounting questions about law enforcement preparedness.
Investigation Status
Police have registered a case and launched an investigation, with CCTV footage from both inside the shop and the surrounding market area being examined as primary evidence. Authorities have not yet named any suspects or confirmed whether the attack was gang-related or personal in nature. Further details are expected as the probe progresses.