Ludhiana: Two men have been hospitalised and a manhunt is on after a violent attempted heist at a money exchange in the city’s New Madhopuri area turned into a chaotic street brawl.It started when two masked assailants on a motorcycle targeted Sahil Telecom, a shop specialising in mobile phones and currency transfers. The shop’s owner, Muhammad Anzar Alam, was alone when the pair came in and demanded cash at gunpoint.When Alam resisted and raised the alarm, one of the robbers fired a handgun, striking Alam in the right hand. Despite his injury, the shopkeeper fought back. As the thieves attempted to flee with an envelope of cash, Alam struck one of the robbers in the head with a baseball bat. The blow caused the thief to bleed heavily and drop the stolen money on the road.The commotion drew the attention of Rajesh Niku, a nearby grocery store owner, who rushed to assist Alam. In the ensuing struggle, the cornered robbers allegedly attacked Niku with a knife, inflicting serious head injuries before they fled the scene. Witnesses reported that the suspects had fired three to four shots into the air to deter pursuers as they escaped on their motorcycle.“Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend the masked assailants,” Assistant deputy commissioner of police (ADCP) Sameer Verma said. “The area has been cordoned off, and we are following several leads based on the footage and eyewitness accounts.”Probe DetailsCasualties | Both Muhammad Anzar Alam and Rajesh Niku are under treatment at a nearby hospital. ADCP Sameer Verma has confirmed both men are in stable conditionPolice Action | Authorities have registered a case of attempted murder and violations of the Arms Act against the unidentified suspectsEvidence | Investigators are scanning CCTV footage from the New Madhopuri area, which captured the scene when residents had fled for safety as gunshots rang outMethodology | Police suspect the assailants had conducted a “recce” (reconnaissance) of the shop prior to the attack
