Businessman shot dead in Jalandhar market

Jalandhar, June 3 (IANS) A middle-aged businessman was shot dead in a busy market place in Punjab's Jalandhar city on Friday, police said.

The victim, Anil Kumar, 51, was seated in his Toyota Fortuner SUV when two motorcycle-borne assailants shot him from close range. The assailants managed to escape despite tight security in the city.

The incident occurred when the Punjab Police and para-military forces were conducting a flag march in the vicinity in view of the 32nd anniversary of Operation Bluestar on June 6.

Eyewitnesses told the police that the two persons had an argument with Kumar after which one person got inside the SUV and shot the businessman.

Police said that Kumar died on the spot.

The victim had come to the market near the Company Bagh area and had parked his SUV near the Allahabad Bank branch.

Kumar was into money changing business and also owned a garments shop at Jyoti Chowk market.

Police officials said that the incident was being investigated. They did not rule out Hawala (illegal) money transaction behind the killing.