Masked Assailants Open Fire at Highway Dhabha in Khanna, Flee Scene

An incident of firing was reported early Friday morning at ‘Prem Dhabha’, located near Lalheri Chowk on the GT Road in Khanna. According to initial information, two masked assailants arrived on a motorcycle around 6:30 AM and opened fire at the closed shutter of the eatery before fleeing the scene. Reports indicate that the attackers fired four to five rounds at the dhaba’s shutter. The incident occurred while some people were present in the surrounding area, raising concerns among locals. An eyewitness, who runs a scooter repair shop near the dhaba, said he heard gunshots as soon as he reached his shop in the morning. He stated that he saw two young men arrive on a motorcycle and fire at the premises. After the shooting, the assailants escaped towards Lalheri Road. Preliminary inputs suggest that the incident may be linked to an extortion attempt. The owner of ‘Prem Dhabha’ had reportedly received calls from gangsters a few days ago, demanding ₹50 lakh as extortion money. The callers had also issued threats of serious consequences if the demand was not met. Authorities suspect that the firing was carried out to create fear. SDM Khanna, Swati Tiwana, confirmed that the incident took place in the morning and said that the police have launched an investigation into the matter. Despite efforts, SSP Darpan Ahluwalia could not be contacted for comment. Police teams are currently examining the case and are expected to review CCTV footage from the area to identify the suspects.