Politics · India Bureau
Shiv Sena UBT leader shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Thane
Pradeep Purnekar, a senior Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) leader, was killed in a shooting incident outside his office in Thane on Thursday evening. Police said the assailants arrived on motorcycles and opened fire before fleeing the scene.
LSN India ·
The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 pm in front of Purnekar's office in Thane, a city in Maharashtra's industrial belt. Eyewitnesses reported seeing two bike-borne assailants approach the location before opening fire at the prominent political figure. Purnekar was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead on arrival by medical staff.
Thane Police have registered a murder case and launched an investigation into the shooting. Officers are examining CCTV footage from the area and gathering statements from witnesses to identify the attackers and establish a motive for the killing. The identities of the gunmen remain unknown at present.
Purnekar held significant influence within the Shiv Sena (UBT) faction, which split from the original Shiv Sena party following internal political disputes. His death marks a significant development in Maharashtra's volatile political landscape and is likely to intensify security concerns among regional political figures.