Back-to-Back Shootings Shatter Himachal’s Peace
The serene hills of Himachal Pradesh have been rattled by the sound of gunfire for the second time in as many days, leaving communities anxious and questioning their sense of safety.
The latest incident occurred in Solan, where what should have been a quiet evening on Sultanpur Road was disrupted by the crackle of aerial gunfire. While thankfully no one was physically injured, the act has left a deep wound of fear. A video, now circulating widely on social media, shows a young man brazenly firing several rounds into the air—a chilling spectacle that has shaken public trust.
Police have since detained several youths and recovered a pistol. According to SP Gaurav Singh, the firing appears to be the result of a rivalry between two groups, and investigations are underway.
This event comes with the memory of a far more tragic shooting still fresh in everyone’s minds. Just a day earlier, in Una district, a birthday celebration at a private hotel turned deadly. A minor disagreement spiraled out of control, moving from an argument to a violent clash outside the hotel. In a moment of terrible violence, a gun was drawn, and shots were fired indiscriminately.
The shooting claimed the life of a young man, Ashu Puri of Santokhgarh, and left two others with critical injuries, who are now fighting for their lives at PGI Chandigarh.
As police work to untangle the details of both cases, these back-to-back incidents have cast a spotlight on a growing concern for residents: the alarming presence of illegal weapons and the ease with which disputes are escalating into deadly confrontations. The peace of the region feels disturbed, and for many, the question remains: what will be done to restore it?
