Kotkapura: Unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants shot dead an alleged gangster during a mela at grain market here tonight. The deceased identified as Lovie Deora (23) was moving around in the mela at grain market when three assailants fired at him indiscriminately and fled from the spot.

Kotkapura: Unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants shot dead an alleged gangster during a mela at grain market here tonight. The deceased identified as Lovie Deora (23) was moving around in the mela at grain market when three assailants fired at him indiscriminately and fled from the spot.

Those present on the spot rushed him to local civil hospital where he was declared dead. The deceased was a resident of the old city area and released on June 19 from jail on bail. He had been facing murder charges in some cases.

Eyewitnesses said the assailants pumped seven bullets into the head, chest, stomach and arm of the deceased. The incident created panic among the visitors at the mela. SSP Faridkot Dr Nanak Singh and other senior police officers reached the hospital. The SSP said the deceased had a criminal background. Whether the incident was result of an inter-gang or personal rivalry will be known only after the investigation, he added.