Ludhiana Residents on Edge as Unidentified Attackers Torch Parked Vehicle in Targeted Strike

A brazen late-night attack in the Haibowal area has left a businessman’s car gutted and local authorities scrambling to identify the masked culprits caught on camera.

Panic gripped the residents of Ludhiana’s Haibowal locality late Friday night when a parked Mahindra KUV100 was reduced to a charred shell in a targeted petrol bomb attack. The incident, which occurred in a quiet lane, has sparked significant concern among locals as law enforcement officials work to piece together the motive behind the destruction.

Caught on Camera

Clear CCTV footage of the incident has since gone viral, providing a chilling look at the precision of the unidentified attackers. The footage shows a Hyundai i20 arriving at the scene, with three masked men stepping out to survey the area. Shortly after, one of the men is seen hurling an explosive device at the vehicle belonging to local businessman Mohammad Shaki. The impact triggered an immediate, loud explosion, engulfing the car in flames before the assailants fled the scene in their vehicle.

Police Investigation and Motives

Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Sarabjit Singh Cheema confirmed that an FIR has been registered against the perpetrators under Section 326 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with mischief by fire or explosive substances. While no injuries were reported, the total destruction of the vehicle has prompted a multi-pronged investigation.

"The video footage is being examined, and teams have been tasked with tracing the accused," ACP Cheema said. Police are currently analyzing digital evidence and the registration details of the car used by the attackers. Authorities are also investigating a potential personal vendetta, as Shaki reportedly disclosed that he had been embroiled in disputes with certain individuals prior to the attack.

Conflicting Reports on Scale

While the incident in Haibowal is being treated as a targeted attack on a businessman, recent reports from other media outlets suggest the violence may be part of a broader, escalating pattern of local unrest. While initial accounts focused on the three-man strike, other reports have alluded to larger skirmishes involving groups of up to 20 individuals, potentially stemming from long-standing neighborhood spats. Whether this specific arson is linked to wider communal or personal tensions remains a focal point of the ongoing police inquiry.

As the investigation continues, the brazen nature of the attack—conducted in the open and captured on surveillance—serves as a grim reminder of the rising concerns regarding public safety in the region. The police have assured the public that they are working to nab the culprits, focusing on both the digital trail left by the getaway vehicle and the personal history provided by the victim.