'Heard Two Loud Thuds, Saw 4-5 People Fleeing': Eyewitness Recalls Pradeep Purnekar Shooting
An eyewitness describes the terrifying moments after Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar was shot dead in Thane's Manpada area.
The chilling details of the assassination of Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Pradeep Purnekar have begun to emerge following the fatal shooting in Thane’s Manpada-Ganesh Nagar area. An eyewitness, who was working in a shop adjacent to Purnekar’s office, described a scene of confusion and terror that quickly turned into a bloody nightmare.
Mistaking Gunshots for a Short Circuit
Renu Prajapati, a local resident who operates a tailoring shop right next to the leader's office, recounted the moments the violence erupted. While she was busy stitching blouses, she was startled by two intense, heavy sounds.
"I heard loud thud sound twice, so I felt that a short circuit had happened," Prajapati told reporters. Believing there was an electrical mishap, she moved her counter and opened her shop gate to investigate the source of the noise. Instead of an electrical fire, she witnessed a group of individuals rushing out of Purnekar's office.
"I saw that 4 to 5 people came out from Dada's office," she added, describing the sudden movement of the group.
A Narrow Escape from the Attackers
The situation escalated rapidly as Prajapati realized the danger was not an accident. Fearing for her life, she immediately attempted to get her daughter, who was busy with her schoolwork, to safety. "I was calling my daughter, ‘Beta run away, run away outside.’"
The eyewitness noted seeing an individual carrying what appeared to be a knife, prompting her to flee the scene with her child. As she ran, she observed the suspects escaping the area on motorcycles and scooters. It was only after the attackers had fled that the true gravity of the situation became clear through the panicked shouts of bystanders calling out "Balu dada."
The Horrific Aftermath
The realization of the murder hit Prajapati with devastating force when she saw the extent of the violence. "When I looked down... I am seeing whole blood is poured," she recalled, stating that the sight of the blood left her feeling dizzy and trembling. Due to the chaos, she was unable to clearly identify Purnekar or the individual who attempted to assist him in his final moments.
Investigation Underway and Family Demands Justice
The unidentified assailants who shot the local Shiv Sena (UBT) leader on Tuesday night remain at large. Thane police have launched an intensive investigation, deploying multiple teams to track down the killers and establish a motive. Authorities are currently scrutinizing CCTV footage from the Manpada area and questioning local residents to piece together the sequence of events.
The victim's family has taken a firm stance regarding the pursuit of the perpetrators. Purnekar’s brother, Jainath, has declared that the family will not proceed with the final rites until the killers are behind bars.
"The last rites will be performed when the culprits are caught. Until they are caught, we will not," Jainath stated, demanding immediate justice for his brother.