DHARWAD: A Youth Congress leader was murdered by unidentified assailants who barged into his residence in Dharwad late Friday night.
The deceased, 22-year-old Fairoz Khan Pathan, was a resident of Mehboob Nagar and a Youth Congress functionary. According to preliminary reports, four unidentified men entered his house and attacked him with weapons. Pathan succumbed to his injuries on the spot due to excessive bleeding. Dharwad Suburban police rushed to the scene soon after the incident. The exact motive behind the killing remains unclear and an investigation is underway.
The case has taken a dramatic turn following serious allegations by Youth Congress leader Abdul Desai. Desai has alleged that Mohammad Shah, another member of the Youth Congress, might be responsible for the murder, allegedly with the involvement of leaders from within the party. The statement has fuelled speculation that internal rivalry or political differences may have led to the killing.
Police have taken the allegations seriously and launched a manhunt to trace the accused. A special team has been formed, and investigations are being carried out from multiple angles. Meanwhile, tight security has been provided at Hashmi Nagar and nearby areas to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents.
Hubballi-Dharwad Police Commissioner N Shahsikumar said the investigation is being expedited using CCTV footage and eyewitness statements. The culprits would be arrested at the earliest, he said. Going by the initial evidence, it appears to be a preplanned incident, but the police would conduct a comprehensive probe into it, he added.