MUMBAI, Oct 19: Regardless of Chief Minister Manohar Joshi's stern order to the police to clamp down on crime, one person was shot dead and another badly injured in a shootout at Worli Naka this afternoon.At around 2.45 pm, when a taxi halted at the Worli Naka signal, two persons stole up from behind and opened fire at two passengers seated in the cab. As one of the victims screamed for help and the other slumped on to the seat, the assailants got into a waiting taxi and escaped. Alert passers-by noted the taxi no (MH-01 J 5341) and informed the police immediately. A police van, stationed at Worli Naka, chased the assailants' vehicle. But when the police van finally found the taxi parked near the Shivaji Nagar slums, Worli, the assailants had already abandoned the vehicle.The victims, identified as Sajid Sikandar alias Sajid Kalia and Irfan Iqbal alias Fighter, were rushed to Bhatia Hospital, Tardeo. Sikandar had sustained bullet injuries in his neck and shoulder, while Iqbal was shot in the face,shoulder and chest. Sikandar succumbed to his injuries, and Iqbal's condition is critical.Deputy Commissioner of Police (Detection) Param Bir Singh said: ``We are questioning the driver of the taxi in which the two were seated, but it is too early to say anything.''According to the taxi driver's statement, Sikandar flagged him down at Bandra and told him he wanted to go to Mahim's popular shrine, Maqdoom Shah Baba Dargah. When the cab reached the shrine, Sikandar went in and returned within five minutes along with Iqbal.The two then asked him to drive to town. Police said both Sikandar and Iqbal are suspected to have underworld connections, and gang rivalry could be the motive behind the shootout. They suspect the duo belongs to the Chhota Rajan gang, while the assailants were from the Chhota Shakeel gang.In another incident last night, a mechanic was shot at in Bandra. At around 8.30 pm, three men arrived at Nityanand slums at Bandra Reclamation and opened fire at Mannu Baban Singh. Singhsustained a bullet injury in his neck and was rushed to Bhabha Hospital. He is out of danger. Police suspect the firing to be a fallout of previous enmity.
