Shiv Sena Leader Mangat Rai Shot Dead in Punjab’s Moga, Attackers Claim Responsibility Online

Chandigarh, 15th March 2025: Three individuals on motorcycles who fatally shot a local Shiv Sena leader in Punjab’s Moga on Thursday night claimed responsibility for the crime through an Instagram video posted on Friday.

The victim, identified as Mangat Rai, also known as Manga, was killed late Thursday, while a young boy sustained injuries in the attack.

Before the police could apprehend them, the attackers’ video confession had already gone viral on social media. In the video, they alleged that Mangat Rai had been extorting money from them under threats, which led them to take violent action against him.

“He constantly threatened us and our families, demanding money. He even warned that if we didn’t comply, he would kidnap our family members. We never wanted to resort to this, but we had no choice,” one of them stated.

Additionally, one of the three assailants admitted to a separate shooting incident at a local salon, explaining that he had personal disputes with the salon owner. They claimed that the young boy was accidentally struck by a bullet meant for Mangat Rai.

“In the past, the salon owner attacked my brother, leaving him injured,” another suspect revealed.

Mangat Rai, the Moga district chief of the Shiv Sena Shinde faction, was gunned down by the three assailants, who were caught on CCTV chasing him.

Security footage from the scene shows Mangat Rai desperately trying to scale the gate of a house to seek refuge, but the attackers continued firing at him as he attempted to flee.

The incident occurred around 10 pm when Manga, 52, had stepped out to buy groceries. Police reported that the first bullet missed him and instead struck a 12-year-old boy passing by. Mangat Rai then attempted to escape on a two-wheeler, but the attackers pursued him.

After being shot, police rushed Manga to the hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead. The injured boy was initially treated at Moga Civil Hospital before being transferred to another facility for advanced medical care, authorities confirmed.