Triggering shockwaves, Youth Akali Dal leader Vicky Middukhera was shot dead in broad daylight in Mohali on Saturday, police said.

Two armed miscreants opened fire at Middukhera in a market area and fled the spot.  A case has been registered, and further investigations are underway, police officials said, adding that police are trying to identify the accused, four in total, and are hopeful of nabbing them soon.

Footage from CCTV cameras in the area showed the miscreants open fire at Middukhera as he was getting into his parked car.  The police said he had gone to meet a real estate dealer in the area. The miscreants, all wearing caps and face masks, can be seen chasing Middukhera and firing shots as he attempted to run for cover.  The police said eight to nine rounds were fired, after which the miscreants escaped in a car.

After the attack, Middukhera, who was a former president of the SAD's student wing, Student Organisation of India, was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he was declared brought dead, the police added.

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) senior leader and party spokesperson Daljit Singh Cheema said the incident has once again exposed the state's deteriorating law and order situation.  “No one feels safe because the law and order situation in Punjab has broken down,” he said.

Cheema said the incident also raises questions as there is heightened security across the state ahead of the Independence Day celebrations.  “This shows there is no fear of law as the incident took place in broad daylight,” he said, and demanded a high-level probe. He described Middukhera as a bright and talented youth leader.

Former MP and senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Prem Singh Chandumajra visited the residence of Vicky Middukhera and expressed his condolences with the bereaved family.  Speaking to reporters, Chandumajra said “it is clear from the CCTV coverage that this was a targeted killing and that the killers had been assigned the job of eliminating Middukhera”. He said.