AAP Leader Lucky Oberoi Shot Dead in Jalandhar: Targeted Attack Near Gurdwara

February 6, 2026 — In a brazen daylight assassination that has sent shockwaves across Punjab, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Lucky Oberoi was shot dead on Friday morning in Jalandhar’s posh Model Town area. The 38-year-old leader was targeted by unidentified assailants just as he was leaving a local gurdwara after his daily prayers.

The Incident: A Meticulous Ambush

The attack occurred around 7:50 AM outside the Model Town Gurdwara Sahib. According to police reports, Oberoi had just stepped out of the shrine and entered his black Mahindra Thar SUV when two assailants on a motorcycle (reportedly a Honda Activa) intercepted him.

The shooters fired 8 to 10 rounds at close range using sophisticated weapons. The intensity of the gunfire shattered the vehicle’s windows, and at least five bullets struck Oberoi. He was rushed to a nearby private hospital in critical condition but was declared dead shortly after arrival.

Investigation and Initial Leads

Jalandhar Commissioner of Police, Dhanpreet Kaur Randhawa, confirmed that the attack appeared to be a well-planned “targeted killing.” Initial investigations suggest the following:

• Recce Performed: The attackers seemed aware of Oberoi’s daily routine, suggesting they had conducted a recce of his movements.
• CCTV Evidence: Police are currently scanning footage from the area to identify the suspects and their escape route.
• Motive: While all angles are being explored, authorities indicate that personal enmity is currently the primary line of investigation. No immediate link to extortion has been established.

Political and Social Impact

Lucky Oberoi was a well-known figure in Jalandhar’s political and business circles. He was a financier and property dealer, considered close to the AAP Jalandhar Cantt constituency in-charge, Rajwinder Kaur Thiara. His wife, Simarjot Kaur, had previously contested municipal elections on an AAP ticket.

The murder has sparked a heated political debate regarding the law and order situation in Punjab:

• Opposition Criticism: Leaders from the BJP and Congress have hit out at the Bhagwant Mann-led government, alleging a “collapse of state security.”
• Government Response: AAP representatives have condemned the “cowardly act” and assured the public that the perpetrators will face the strictest legal consequences.

Current Status

The Jalandhar police have cordoned off the Model Town area and set up approximately 15 checkpoints (nakas) across the city to intercept the suspects. Forensic teams have collected evidence from the crime scene, including bullet shells and glass fragments.

The killing marks the second major attack on an AAP leader in Punjab this year, following the death of Jarmal Singh in Amritsar last month, further heightening concerns over political safety in the state.