MEERUT, July 26 -- A cloth merchant was allegedly shot dead in the Lisadi Gate area of Meerut on Saturday afternoon. The incident, said to be a fallout of an old enmity, occurred in Radha Wali Gali, where Abrar, 45, was allegedly gunned down while on his way home for lunch from his shop, police said.

According to the police, Abrar, son of Abdul Hameed, was targeted allegedly by an assailant who fired at him twice. One bullet struck him near the waist. As the accused attempted to fire again, the weapon misfired and he fled the scene.

A minor suspect was later detained by a police team and a country-made pistol, suspected to be the murder weapon, was recovered from his possession, officials said.

"Abrar was critically injured after the f...