Three people, including a woman, were shot dead by unidentified assailants in the parking lot of a hotel at Morni hills in Panchkula. The incident took place on Sunday night. The victims of the shooting incident have been identified as Vicky and Vipin, both from Delhi, and Nia from Hisar, said Sombir, Inspector and Station House Officer, Pinjore.  

As per preliminary examination, it could be a case of rivalry and Police teams are working on all angels, he added.

Police sources said that the trio had left a resort after celebrating a birthday when miscreants fired multiple shots at their SUV. One of the deceased is Vicky, who along with his nephew and a woman, was there for the birthday celebrations.

According to the police, three men arrived at the scene in an Etios car, opened fire indiscriminately on the victims and fled from the crime scene.

The police control room received information about the crime around 3.30 am. The victims were brought to the Civil Hospital of Sector 6 in Panchkula, where they were declared brought dead.

According to the police, Vicky, who was aged around 30, had a criminal background and had some cases registered against him. The motive behind the killing was not immediately clear.

"The three had come to attend a birthday party when the incident took place. The police team has been formed and they are scanning CCTV footage and gathering other clues and evidence," said Arvind Kamboj, Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime), Panchkula.