Meerut, April 4 -- A man was killed and his associate got injured after armed assailants opened fire on them in Latifpur village in Hastinapur block here on Wednesday evening.

The deceased has been identified as Paramjit Singh, alias Gulla, 35, while his associate Gurumukh Singh has been critically injured.

The attack which occurred near a country liquor outlet on Bamnoli Road, is believed to be linked to a long-standing rivalry over the 2021 village head elections and retribution for a murder that took place over a year ago.

According to police, Paramjit and Gurumukh were at a shop when motorcycle-borne armed assailants opened fire on them.

Paramjit was struck thrice in the head and neck, killing him instantly while Gurumukh sustaine...