India, Nov. 2 -- An auto-rickshaw driver was shot dead in broad daylight in Kondhwa on Saturday, in what police suspect is the latest episode in an ongoing gang rivalry linked to last year's murder of former NCP corporator Vanraj Andekar.

The deceased, identified as Ganesh Kale (36), a resident of Yewalewadi, was gunned down near a petrol pump at Khadi Machine Chowk around 3.30 pm. Police said four assailants on two motorcycles followed Kale and opened fire at close range before attacking him with a koyta (sharp weapon) and fleeing the spot.

DCP (Zone 5) Rajkumar Shinde said, "Kale died on the spot after sustaining multiple bullet injuries. We have formed ten teams to trace the assailants."

Police recovered one of the motorcycles used ...