Punjab shocker: National kabaddi player Sonu Nolta shot dead; brother of Lawrence Bishnoi suspected behind killing

PACHKULA: A 32-year-old national kabaddi player was shot dead outside Cosmo Mall in Punjab late Thursday night, in what police suspect was a gang-linked targeted killing. The victim, Sonu Nolta, a native of Nolta village in Kalka near Panchkula, was attacked while sitting in his Mahindra Scorpio along with a friend and two women after watching a film.

The incident occurred around 10.30pm when assailants in a Maruti Swift opened fire, discharging at least 15 rounds. Police said Nolta was struck by seven bullets, including wounds to the head, chest, back and hand. He was declared dead on arrival at Sector-6 Civil Hospital in Panchkula. His friend, Prince (26), a resident of Mallah village in Pinjore, was hit in the thigh. He was later shifted to PGI Chandigarh due to his critical condition. Officers from the local police, Crime Branch teams from Sector-19 and Sector-26, as well as DCP Panchkula Shrishti Gupta, visited the crime scene. A forensic team collected evidence, including four bullet shells recovered from the location. The attack was reportedly captured on nearby CCTV footage, though police have not yet released the video. Shortly after the murder, a man named Piyush Pinjori, believed to be from Pinjore, uploaded a video to Instagram in which he claimed responsibility for the killing.

A second man, identified as Ankuna, was also seen brandishing a pistol in another video claiming involvement in the attack. Police sources suggest the killing may have been carried out at the behest of Anmol Bishnoi, brother of jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. Though not officially confirmed by police, the Bishnoi gang has previously been linked to high-profile targeted killings. Nolta, known for organising events and parties, reportedly had a falling out with Piyush in recent months, although the exact motive remains under investigation. An autopsy is expected to be conducted on Friday. Police say a manhunt is underway to track down the attackers, who fled in the Swift car.

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