Nagpur: A violent shooting incident in the Babulkheda-Chicholi area under Khaparkheda police station jurisdiction has left one man dead and another critically injured in what appears to be a revenge killing. The attack on January 2, Thursday, is suspected to be linked to a year-old murder case near Shankarnagar petrol pump.

The deceased has been identified as Pawan Dhiraj Hiranwar (28), a resident of Kachipura, Nagpur, while the injured, Shailesh alias Bunty Hiranwar (31), is currently undergoing treatment at Mayo Hospital.

According to police, Pawan, Shailesh, and three friends—Siddharth Kowe, Sonu Shendre, and Himanshu Gajbhiye—were returning to Nagpur after visiting Panchmukhi Hanuman Temple in Babulkheda when they were ambushed. Around 4 pm, motorcycle-borne attackers intercepted their car (MH-47-BK-0323) and opened fire with a country-made firearm.

The group attempted to flee towards a nearby field, but Pawan was shot twice in the head and once in the chest, succumbing to his injuries on the spot. Shailesh sustained two gunshot wounds and is in critical condition.

Preliminary investigations suggest the attack was a retaliation for the murder of Saroj Khan, which occurred a year ago near the Shankarnagar petrol pump. Pawan Hiranwar and his associates were reportedly involved in Saroj’s killing. Sources claim Saroj’s brother, Shekhu Khan, had been planning revenge and, along with his accomplice, Parvesh Gupta, orchestrated the attack on January 2.

Shekhu and Parvesh allegedly tracked Pawan’s movements and carried out the attack after learning about the group’s visit to the temple. Police suspect the involvement of additional accomplices.