AAP leader shot dead in Punjab’s Jalandhar

An Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader has been shot dead in broad daylight in Punjab’s Jalandhar on Friday when unidentified assailants opened fire on him outside a gurdwara.

The victim, Lucky Oberoi, was attacked in the Model Town area while he was inside his car, NDTV reports. According to police and witness accounts, the attackers arrived on a two-wheeler and fired multiple shots at him. At least five bullets hit Oberoi.

He was rushed to a private hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Police said Oberoi was parking his vehicle outside the gurdwara when the shooting occurred. A police team reached the scene shortly after receiving information and has launched an investigation. The attackers fled immediately after the shooting.

Lucky’s wife had earlier contested municipal elections as an AAP candidate but was defeated.

The killing triggered strong political reactions. Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Legislative Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, accused the state government of failing to maintain law and order.

In a post on X, Bajwa said law and order in Punjab had “collapsed” under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, adding that if ruling party leaders were not safe, ordinary citizens had little hope of security.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla also criticised the AAP government, calling the incident another example of a complete breakdown of law and order in the state.

Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia described the killing as a “total collapse of law and order,” claiming that eight to 10 bullets were fired at Oberoi. He alleged that such violence had become routine in Punjab and accused the chief minister and police leadership of destroying public safety.

Police said further details would be shared after the investigation progresses.