BJP workers and supporters stage a protest and block the National Highway at Bhadutala, West Medinapur, over the killing of party leader Suvendu Adhikari's PA, Chandranath Rath.Rath, a close aide of BJP leader SuvenduAdhikari, was gunned down by motorcycle-borne attackers, prompting the BJP to accuse the ruling TMC of retaliatory political violence.

According to preliminary information, Rath was intercepted near Doltala in Madhyamgram around 10.30 pm by motorcycle-borne assailants who tailed his vehicle, forced it to stop and opened fire before fleeing.

The West Bengal Police have formed several teams to trace the assailants as part of its investigation and are also examining CCTV footage. DGP Siddhinath Gupta and CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh visited the spot during the night.

Preliminary findings suggested that the assailants, suspected to be riding four motorcycles, intercepted Rath's vehicle in a coordinated manner before firing multiple rounds from close range.

“A suspicious vehicle that allegedly blocked the way of the Rath's car has been seized. However, the number plate attached to it was found to be fake,” Gupta told reporters at the spot.

“We have recovered empty cartridges and live ammunition from the crime spot. At this stage, the motive behind the attack is not clear,” the state DGP added.

"Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the crime spot and nearby areas, while multiple police teams have been formed to trace the assailants," a police officer told PTI.

At least six to ten rounds may have been fired during the attack, the official said, adding that the assailants reportedly wore helmets and used motorcycles without number plates to avoid identification. The police suspect the use of sophisticated firearms during the attack. According to preliminary forensic inputs, the assailants might have used Glock 47X pistols, he said.

Sudhanshu Mishra is a Senior Copy Editor at Times Now. While his day-to-day work centres on news, his writing interests lie in the intersections of cu...View More

Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now