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Chandigarh pharmacy firing: 2 accused shooters injured in gunfight with cops

On January 15, two masked men had allegedly fired gunshots at Sewak Pharmacy in Sector-32, Chandigarh. The shop owner’s son, who was sitting at the counter, narrowly escaped bullet injuries.

2 min readChandigarhUpdated: Jan 21, 2026 11:12 AM IST

Teams from the Chandigarh Police and the forensic science laboratory inspect the site following an early-morning encounter in Sector 39, Chandigarh, on Wednesday. (Express photo by Jasbir Malhi)

Two shooters, allegedly involved in the firing incident at a Chandigarh pharmacy last week, sustained injuries in an exchange of fire with the police near Ziri Mandi Chowk in Sector-39 Wednesday morning.

The accused were identified as Rahul and Rocky, said Dhiraj Kumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Crime Branch. The incident took place around 6 am, during which both the shooters sustained bullet injuries, police sources said. They were rushed to a government hospital in Sector-16 for treatment.

On January 15, two masked men had allegedly fired gunshots at Sewak Pharmacy in Sector-32. The shop owner’s son, Tanish Luthra, 23, who was sitting at the counter, narrowly escaped bullet injuries. Soon, the shop owner Jagdish Luthra, a resident of Sector-32, informed the police about the incident.

Police teams rushed to the location and forensic officials recovered an empty cartridge from the spot. During the subsequent investigation, CCTV footage showed two youths arriving on an Activa scooter, opening fire and fleeing the scene.

On Monday, the police said they arrested Rahul Bisht, a private laboratory owner and a resident of Sector-46, for allegedly playing a key role in planning the attack, even as efforts were on to trace the shooters.

Once the shooters were found to be travelling in a vehicle on Wednesday morning, a Crime Branch team caught up to them and signalled the accused to stop. However, the situation escalated, following which the police opened fire in retaliation. Officers also seized the vehicle used by the accused.

The police said interrogation of the accused is underway and added that more arrests in the case are likely soon.

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu

Jagpreet Singh Sandhu is a Senior Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in Chandigarh. He is a veteran reporter with over a decade of experience, specializing in legal, crime, and environmental reporting across the tri-city area (Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula). Professional Background Core Beat: He primarily covers the Punjab and Haryana High Court, District Courts, CBI Courts, and Consumer Commissions. His legal reporting is known for breaking down complex judgments and tracking long-standing criminal cases. Environmental Reporting: Jagpreet has become a key voice in reporting on the deteriorating air quality and weather patterns in the Punjab-Haryana region. Crime & Technology: He frequently reports on cybercrime, digital arrest scams, and the intersection of technology and law enforcement, such as the development of citizen-centric policing apps. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His late 2025 coverage has focused on significant judicial verdicts, major financial scams, and public health concerns: 1. Legal & CBI Court Verdicts "12 years on, CBI court acquits Haryana judge, parents in wife’s death case" (Dec 17, 2025): Detailed coverage of the acquittal of a judicial officer in a high-profile dowry death case from 2013. "‘Wicked & evil mind’: Court gives man 30-year term for kidnapping, sexually assaulting 8-year-old" (Dec 16, 2025): A report on a stern judgment from a Chandigarh district court in a POCSO case. "Man acquitted in rape case after victim found ‘very happy’ in wedding reception" (Dec 9, 2025): Covering a unique legal observation regarding consensual relationships and age verification. 2. Investigative & Scams "CBI registers FIR in Rs 1.14-cr Patient Welfare Grant scam at PGIMER" (Dec 19, 2025): An exposé on how funds meant for poor patients were siphoned off through forged documents and a photocopy shop inside the PGIMER campus. "Month-long torture, Rs 85 lakh transfers: How ‘Innocence Certificate’ led to a ‘digital arrest’ of an elderly couple" (Dec 12, 2025): Detailing a sophisticated cyber fraud targeting senior citizens in Chandigarh. 3. Environment & Public Safety "Panchkula air turns ‘very poor’, fourth worst in country" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on the sudden spike in pollution levels in Panchkula compared to neighbouring cities. "Soon, you can snap that overspeeding car, and report to Chandigarh Police" (Dec 16, 2025): Breaking news on a new mobile application being developed to allow citizens to report traffic violations via geo-tagged photos. 4. Gangster Culture & Crime "City Beautiful in the crosshairs of gangsters" (Dec 14, 2025): A feature analysis of how Chandigarh has increasingly become a staging ground for extortion and rivalries between gangster modules. "Shooters wanted for Parry murder held by Delhi Police Special Cell" (Dec 18, 2025): Following the developments in a high-profile murder case in Chandigarh’s Sector 26. Signature Style Jagpreet is recognized for his tenacious follow-up on cold cases and his ability to report on courtroom drama with a focus on victim rights. His work often highlights administrative lapses, whether in the handling of patient welfare funds or the enforcement of environmental standards. ... Read More

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