Gurugram: In a shocking incident late Friday night, two juveniles were apprehended for allegedly shooting their 17-year-old classmate in Gurugram’s Sector 48. Police said the minor victim is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital, and initial investigations indicate that the attack stemmed from a two-month-old quarrel among the three Class 11 students at their school.

According to the Gurugram police, the sequence of events leading to the attack began when one of the accused allegedly invited the victim out for dinner. After sharing a meal together, the group reportedly went to a rented flat in Sector 48 belonging to one of the accused, where the shooting took place. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Crime) Varun Dahiya stated, “On Friday night, one of the accused invited the victim out, and after having food together, they went to the accused’s rented flat in Sector 48, where they fired at him.”

Police received a distress call around midnight reporting that a boy had been shot. A team from the Sadar police station rushed to the scene; however, the victim had already been taken to a private hospital by his family. The incident immediately prompted a detailed forensic investigation. During the search of the rented flat, police recovered a pistol, two magazines, five live cartridges, one empty shell, and another magazine containing 65 live rounds from a box inside the room.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the weapon used in the attack belonged to the father of one of the accused, a property dealer, who reportedly kept it at home. Police are examining his role in the incident to determine whether negligence in securing the firearm contributed to the crime. Authorities are also alerting arms licence holders in the region about the risks of unsecured firearms, following instructions from Haryana Director General of Police O.P. Singh.

Statements from the victim’s family shed light on the circumstances leading up to the attack. The victim’s mother said her son had been invited to meet a school friend near the Kherki Daula toll plaza and had left the house despite her refusal, assuring her that he would return soon. The mother added that the minor dispute, which began approximately two months ago, escalated into a premeditated attack when the friend took her son to a rented flat and, along with another classmate, allegedly fired at him with the intent to kill.

The incident has raised serious concerns about the availability of firearms in households and the lack of awareness among parents about secure storage practices. DGP O.P. Singh emphasized the need for heightened vigilance and training for arms licence holders, saying, “I have instructed all SPs and CPs to alert arms licence holders in their jurisdictions about such dangers and arrange essential training on how to handle and store weapons safely.”

Police sources noted that such incidents underscore the importance of early intervention in conflicts among adolescents. Singh further highlighted the broader societal implications, particularly regarding the influence of video games and virtual simulations on young minds. “This is a generation raised on video games — they often fail to understand that gunfire is not a game. Parents and schools must focus on teaching children people skills and conflict resolution so that such violent confrontations never arise,” he added.

Authorities have registered a formal case against the two juveniles under the relevant sections of the law. Investigators are also examining the involvement of other individuals connected to the incident and assessing whether the father of the accused may face legal consequences for negligence in securing a licensed firearm.

The Gurugram police have reiterated their commitment to ensuring that incidents of gun violence among minors are prevented through both strict enforcement of the law and proactive community outreach. Efforts are underway to educate families on the legal responsibilities associated with firearm ownership and to encourage schools to implement conflict resolution programs aimed at mitigating interpersonal disputes before they escalate into violent acts.

This incident has sparked public debate over the intersection of juvenile delinquency, school bullying, and parental responsibility, particularly in affluent urban areas where firearms may be accessible at home. Child psychologists and educators note that adolescent conflicts, if left unresolved, can escalate rapidly, and the presence of weapons can turn relatively minor disputes into life-threatening situations. Experts advocate for structured counseling programs in schools, alongside parental awareness campaigns, to foster emotional intelligence, empathy, and nonviolent conflict resolution skills among teenagers.

The ongoing investigation in Gurugram will likely serve as a case study in both legal and social contexts. Police officials have urged families to monitor their children’s activities closely, particularly when past disputes are involved, and to maintain strict controls over potentially dangerous objects within the home. Authorities also encourage students to report harassment or threats at school promptly, enabling timely intervention by educators and law enforcement.

In the meantime, the victim’s condition remains stable, and hospital authorities have confirmed that he is receiving intensive care. The community in Sector 48 has expressed shock at the incident, and local residents have called for increased security measures in schools and stricter enforcement of laws governing juvenile offenses.

This incident in Gurugram highlights a critical intersection of societal, familial, and educational responsibilities. It underscores the urgent need for awareness programs regarding firearm safety, proactive conflict management in schools, and parental vigilance to prevent minors from accessing potentially lethal weapons. With authorities taking immediate action against the juveniles and scrutinizing the responsibilities of licensed firearm owners, the hope is that lessons from this unfortunate event will lead to preventive measures that safeguard children and adolescents in the region.

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