India, April 29 -- Former matka (gambling) operator Ramesh Reddy was shot dead by unidentified assailants in the Dehu Road area near Pimpri-Chinchwad on Tuesday evening, police said.

According to police officials, the incident took place around 8.30 pm in the Dehu Road locality when the attackers allegedly opened fire at close range. Preliminary investigations suggest that around seven to eight rounds were fired at Reddy.

A senior police officer said Reddy sustained a gunshot injury to the head and collapsed on the spot. He was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead before treatment could begin.

The firing triggered panic in the area, following which several shops in the local market downed shutters. A...