New Delhi, July 31 -- A 37-year-old man was shot dead outside his residence in outer Delhi's Kanjhawala, just a day before his younger son's first birthday, police said on Friday, adding that a possible gang rivalry angle is under probe.

The deceased, Harish Mathur, sustained three to four bullet injuries in the attack by two motorcycle-borne assailants near a school on Karala Road at around 11.15 pm, they said.

He was declared dead at the spot.

Crime and forensic teams examined the scene and collected evidence. Three to four empty cartridges and motorcycle tyre marks were found at the spot, an officer said.

An FIR has been registered and efforts are underway to identify and arrest the assailants, the officer said, adding that CCTV footage is also being checked.

According to the police, the manner in which the attack was carried out suggests it may have been a targeted killing. "All possible angles, including gang rivalry, are being investigated," the officer said.

The victim's wife claimed she had made a video call to her husband shortly before the incident and noticed an unidentified man standing behind him.

She alleged that the man abruptly disconnected the call.

"About 10 minutes later, I was informed that my husband had been shot dead. I suspect the same person was involved. I can identify him," she alleged.

Harish's father said he heard a loud sound outside the house while watching television and rushed out to find his son lying in a pool of blood.

"We have no known enmity with anyone. If he had any dispute elsewhere, he never told us," he said.

The deceased is survived by his wife and two sons. His younger son is set to celebrate his first birthday on Saturday.

Police sources said investigators are also looking into information suggesting the victim was in contact with some criminal elements and may have been called out of his house by an acquaintance before the shooting.

His alleged links with certain gang members and his reported involvement in property dealing are also being verified, the police source said.

No conclusion has been reached and the motive behind the murder will be established only after the investigation progresses, they added.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.