Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar shot dead in Thane; attackers wore helmets and masks, using both firearms and sharp-edged weapons.

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar shot dead in Thane; attackers wore helmets and masks, using both firearms and sharp-edged weapons.

The shooting death of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar in Thane, Maharashtra, has sent shockwaves through the area. Attackers wearing helmets and masks arrived near his office in the Manormanagar locality and fired multiple rounds at him. Purnekar sustained two gunshot wounds and was critically injured; he later succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at a hospital. According to the police, five suspects have been identified in connection with the incident, and two of them have been detained for questioning. The police are working to piece together the details of the attack and identify the perpetrators using CCTV footage and forensic evidence. Reports suggest that Purnekar had recently announced a protest against the alleged high-handedness of a local builder. However, the police have not yet confirmed whether this dispute was the motive behind the murder or if there was another reason. The killing has also sparked political questions regarding the law-and-order situation in Maharashtra.