A violent clash between school students turned fatal in Chandigarh’s Sector 22 on Thursday night, October 22, when three motorcycle-borne assailants allegedly opened fire on a group of teenagers near Sanatan Dharam Mandir. The shooting claimed the life of 17-year-old Naitik and left another teenager critically injured. An autorickshaw driver was also reportedly wounded.
According to media reports quoting police, three juvenile suspects were detained following the incident. Investigators suspect that an earlier fight between the two groups, followed by the circulation of videos on social media, may have triggered the shooting.
Earlier Fight Between School Students
According to the initial police investigation, the two groups had studied at the same school before the victims reportedly moved to another school in Sector 32.
The groups allegedly clashed earlier on Thursday. During the confrontation, some of the boys reportedly recorded videos of the fight and uploaded them to Instagram, allegedly humiliating members of the rival group.
Police suspect that the earlier altercation escalated into a revenge attack. However, the exact sequence of events and the role played by each person are still being investigated.
Motorcycle-Borne Assailants Open Fire
According to reports, the suspected assailants allegedly armed themselves with pistols and went looking for members of the rival group.
They reportedly caught up with the victims travelling in an autorickshaw near Sanatan Dharam Mandir in Sector 22 and opened fire at close range. The attackers fled the scene after the shooting.
Naitik sustained a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken to hospital but could not be saved. Another teenager suffered critical injuries, while the autorickshaw driver was also reportedly hit by bullets.
Police reached the spot, secured the area and collected forensic evidence. Investigators are also examining available evidence to establish how the firearms were obtained and used.
Three Juvenile Suspects Detained
Chandigarh SSP Kanwardeep Kaur said the people involved in the incident, including the victims and the suspected shooters, were school students. Media reports stated that three suspects were detained within an hour of the shooting.
The investigation is focused on the alleged rivalry between the two groups, the earlier physical confrontation and the possible role of social media in escalating the dispute.
The allegations against the detained juveniles remain subject to investigation and due process.
Social Media and Youth Violence Under Scrutiny
The incident has renewed concerns about violent confrontations among teenagers and the potential consequences of disputes that escalate beyond physical fights. Investigators are examining whether videos allegedly shared to humiliate members of the rival group contributed to the chain of events.
While the precise motive will be established through the investigation, the fatal shooting highlights the seriousness of disputes involving school students and the alleged use of illegal firearms by minors.
Police are continuing their investigation to establish the complete sequence of events and determine individual responsibility.