Daijiworld Media Network - Rome

Rome, Apr 19: In a shocking incident, two Indian nationals were shot dead late Friday night outside a gurdwara in Covo town of Italy’s Bergamo province, triggering concern among the local Indian community.

According to local media reports, the victims — identified as 48-year-old Raginder Singh, a resident of Covo, and Gurmit Singh, also 48, from nearby Agnadello — had just attended a Baisakhi gathering at a warehouse functioning as Gurdwara Mata Sahib Kaur Ji when the attack occurred.

The shooting took place shortly before midnight in an open square near the gurdwara premises. Eyewitness accounts suggest that an unidentified assailant approached the duo and opened fire, discharging multiple rounds before fleeing the scene in a van.

Investigators recovered around ten spent cartridges from the site, indicating a targeted and premeditated attack rather than a spontaneous altercation. Authorities are examining all possible angles, including personal enmity.

A witness claimed that the suspected gunman was also of Indian origin and was known to frequent the gurdwara. The same account revealed that a third person narrowly escaped injury, with bullets grazing past them during the firing.

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, especially as it occurred just a day ahead of a planned Vaisakhi celebration expected to draw participation from local officials and residents.

Police have launched a manhunt to trace the ????? and further investigations are underway.