In the Sardaha market of the Maharajganj police station area, two Muslim men, Rashid Ahmed and his son Shoaib, were shot dead in their textile shop on September 20. The incident is believed to be driven by an alleged business rivalry with another shopkeeper, Dinesh.
The Ahmed family lives in their Sardhaan Bazaar home and operates a business selling ready-made clothing. Rashid Ahmed, 55, and his younger son, Shoaib, who was 20 years old, were going about their usual morning routine of setting up their shop for the day when a tragedy unfolded.
Three unidentified assailants on a motorcycle descended upon the shop, entering the establishment and opening fire on Rashid. In a bid for survival, Shoaib fled towards a partially constructed house within the shop’s premises. The assailants chased him, ultimately catching up with him and ending his life in a hail of bullets. The attack claimed the lives of both Rashid and Shoaib, leaving the family and community in mourning.
In response to the report of the double murder, the police arrived at the scene. They were accompanied by a team of officers, including forensic experts, to carry out the investigation. The Police have initiated a search for the perpetrators and are exploring the possibility that the tragic shooting of the father and son could be linked to a longstanding feud or rivalry.
The family of the victims and members of the community have voiced suspicions that the murders could be connected to a feud in the business involving Rashid Ahmed and another shopkeeper named Dinesh.
“He was killed by Dinesh and his three sons, Pawan, Pankaj, and Pradeep. His mother, Nirmala Devi, was also with them, and they live near our home,” said a relative while talking to media.