Pradeep Purnekar, a local leader of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) party, died in a hospital in Thane, Maharashtra, on Tuesday night after being fired upon and physically assaulted by unidentified assailants, according to police reports.
The incident, which occurred on September 29, 2026, has sparked tension in the area and led to widespread concern among local party workers and supporters, NDTV reported.
Details of the Incident and Victim
Pradeep Purnekar held the position of Thane 'vibhag pramukh', or division head, for the Uddhav Thackeray-led faction of the Shiv Sena, a Sena (UBT) leader confirmed to NDTV and The Hindu. The attack took place around 9 p.m. under the jurisdiction of the Kapurbawdi police station.
Unidentified assailants fired two rounds at Purnekar and also physically assaulted him. Following the assault, he was immediately rushed to Infinity Hospital, located near R Mall on Ghodbunder Road. Medical personnel at the hospital initiated emergency intervention; however, Purnekar had sustained serious bullet injuries and succumbed to them during treatment, police stated, according to NDTV.
Investigation and Response
Upon receiving information about the incident, a police team promptly arrived at the scene to secure the area and collect forensic evidence. Investigators are currently reviewing footage from CCTV cameras installed at the site and along surrounding arterial roads in an effort to trace the escape routes of the perpetrators, NDTV reported.
In response to the attack, 'Nakabandi', or checkpoints, have been established across major exits in Thane to facilitate the apprehension of the suspects. Authorities are exploring all potential angles in their investigation, which include examining possibilities of political rivalry and personal enmity, according to NDTV.
Party Reaction
Senior leaders of the Shiv Sena (UBT) have publicly demanded immediate arrests of those responsible for the attack and called for a swift and thorough probe into the incident, NDTV reported.
