Chandigarh: In a tragic incident near Gadhpuri, Haryana, Aryan Mishra, a class-12 student from Faridabad, was shot dead by members of a cow vigilante group. The confrontation occurred along the Delhi-Agra highway where the vigilantes pursued Aryan’s vehicle for approximately 30 kilometers before fatally shooting him.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the vigilantes, identified as Anil Kaushik, Varun, Krishna, Adesh, and Saurabh, were acting on a tip-off about cattle ‘smugglers’ fleeing with cattle in a Renault Duster and a Toyota Fortuner. They intercepted a Duster at Patel Chowk, believing it to be involved in cattle smuggling. Aryan, along with his friends Shanky and Harshit, were in the vehicle at the time.

The group, mistaking the vigilantes for a rival gang, tried to escape, prompting the vigilantes to open fire. Aryan was hit near the neck and again in the chest when the car was forced to stop. The vigilantes fled after realizing their mistake, leaving Aryan critically injured. He later died from his injuries at a local hospital.

Police have confirmed the weapon used was illegal and have taken all accused into custody. The investigation is ongoing.

The incident has drawn sharp criticism from various quarters, including Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind. Maulana Arshad Madani, the chief of the organization, condemned the act as a potential attempt to incite communal tension ahead of upcoming state assembly elections. He emphasized that such violent acts reflect the impunity with which communal elements operate, often targeting individuals based on their religion.