Thane [India], September 30: Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar was shot dead in Thane on Tuesday night after unidentified assailants allegedly opened fire at him outside his party office in the Manpada area of Ghodbunder Road. Police said Purnekar suffered serious injuries and later died while undergoing treatment at a hospital.
The incident took place at around 9 pm within the jurisdiction of Kapurbawdi police station. According to preliminary information shared by police, the attackers fired two rounds at Purnekar before fleeing the area. He was rushed to Infinity Hospital near R Mall on Ghodbunder Road, where doctors attempted to treat his injuries. However, he succumbed during treatment.
Purnekar was associated with the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction and served as a division head in the Thane area. The attack took place near his office in the Manpada-Manorama Nagar area, prompting police teams to immediately reach the location and secure the area for investigation.
Following the shooting, police began examining CCTV footage from the incident location and nearby roads to identify the attackers and trace their escape route. Checkpoints have also been established at important exit points in Thane as investigators search for the suspects.
The identity of the attackers and the exact motive behind the killing have not yet been established, according to police. Investigators are examining different possibilities, including personal and political angles, without reaching a conclusion at this stage.
The incident has led to increased police presence in the area as the investigation continues. Officers are also gathering information from people who may have witnessed the attack and examining available evidence from the scene.
Purnekar’s death has also drawn attention within local political circles. Leaders and party workers have called for the identification and arrest of those responsible, while police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The case remains under investigation, and further details about the suspects, the motive and the circumstances leading up to the attack are expected as the police inquiry progresses.
