Police probe terror link as Moga doctor fights for life

The Moga doctor who was shot at by two assailants at his clinic had allegedly received an extortion threat from designated terrorist Lakhbir Singh Landa in the past, according to the police.

Dr Aniljeet Kamboj, father of Punjabi actor Tania and owner of Harbans Nursing Home in Kot Ise Khan town of Moga, was critically injured in the attack.

The police said they were examining the CCTV footage, call records and possible links to organised crime networks in the state to identify the assailants.

The incident had taken at 12.50 pm on Friday when two young men, posing as patients, entered the clinic.

One of them complained of a leg infection and requested a check-up. As Dr Kamboj began examining his leg, the other man pulled out a firearm and fired at him from close range. Dr Kamboj sustained two gunshot wounds, one in the chest and another in the abdomen. He was rushed to Moga Medisity Hospital in a critical condition.

A senior surgeon at the hospital said one bullet had pierced through Kamoj’s chest and another went through his abdomen.

He remains on a ventilator and his condition is extremely critical, the doctor said.

Sources confirmed that Dr Kamboj had previously received extortion threats in December 2022.

A formal complaint was filed and an FIR registered at the time. Dr Kamboj was provided a police gunman for protection but the security was withdrawn later.

Moga SSP Ajay Gandhi visited the hospital to check on Dr Kamboj’s condition and spoke with his family. “The situation is serious. Dr. Kamboj remains on ventilator. Based on the statement of his son Chahat Kamboj, we have registered a case against two unidentified assailants,” he said.

Punjab