BJP leader Vijay Soni on Thursday said he narrowly escaped after unidentified bike-borne persons opened fire while he was present at his petrol pump in Gurdaspur district of Punjab. Soni, who serves as the convener of the BJP's district trade cell in Gurdaspur, said he was unharmed in the attack.
Police said they had launched an investigation and were examining all aspects of the incident.
According to Soni, the attack took place on Wednesday evening when two men arrived at the petrol pump on a motorcycle. Their faces were covered, and they opened fire shortly after reaching the spot. He said he managed to escape safely. While two to three bullets struck his nearby vehicle, another hit a wall at the petrol pump premises.
Soni said he immediately pulled out his licensed firearm, which was kept in a bag nearby, and fired a retaliatory shot. The attackers then fled from the scene. The entire incident was captured on CCTV cameras installed at the petrol pump.
He further claimed that before the attack, he had received an audio message from an international phone number demanding an extortion amount of Rs 2 crore and giving him 10 days to make the payment.
Soni said he also operates a spare-parts business and usually carries a licensed weapon because his work often involves handling cash transactions.
Following the incident, Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon spoke to the Gurdaspur Senior Superintendent of Police and sought a detailed probe along with the immediate arrest of those responsible.
Dhillon also contacted Soni over the phone to inquire about the incident and his well-being.
Later, the BJP leader condemned the firing incident and alleged that it was linked to an extortion attempt. He also criticised the Bhagwant Mann government, accusing it of failing to control the law and order situation in Punjab.
Union Minister of State Ravneet Singh Bittu also spoke to Soni over the phone after the incident, Soni said.
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