LAHORE, March 31: A 27-year-old groom was shot dead when he was on his way to a hotel near Shimla Pahari where he was going to marry on Sunday.Two family members, who accompanied the wedding party, were also injured as assailants opened fire at the groom’s decorated car at a traffic signal. The indiscriminate firing at busy crossing triggered panic among motorists and pedestrians.

Civil Lines SP (Investigation) Tariq Aziz told Dawn that two unidentified motorcyclists approached groom Haroon’s car and opened indiscriminate fire.

He said Haroon, his brother-in-law Mujtaba of Shadbagh and sister Amna suffered bullets. He said the injured were rushed to Sir Ganga Ram Hospital where Haroon of Habibullah Road, Garhi Shahu, died of wounds.

The SP said the police retrieved seven empty shells from the spot.

He said investigators had initially ruled out the sectarian aspect.

The victim dealt in perfume business in Shah Alam Market.