Rakesh Sihag, head of INLD's media cell, confirmed Nafe Singh Rathi's death in the shootout.
Nafe Singh Rathi, Haryana unit president of Indian National Lok Dal and former MLA, was shot dead on Sunday evening by unidentified gunmen who ambushed his SUV in Jhajjar district. Another party leader who was travelling with him also died while two others were critically injured.
Rathi and his associates were inside the vehicle when the men, who came in a car, opened fire. The attackers fled the scene after the assault.
The injured were immediately rushed to closeby Brahm Shakti Sanjivani Hospital for medical treatment but the former MLA was declared dead on arrival.
Rakesh Sihag, the head of the INLD's media cell, confirmed Nafe Singh Rathi's death in the shootout.
Nafe Singh Rathi served as an MLA of the INLD from Bahadurgarh where the attack took place. The state police is on alert after the shocking attack. Several teams have been swiftly mobilised to the scene of the crime and are collecting evidence to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the attack. Authorities are reviewing CCTV footage from various locations in the vicinity to determine the route of the attacker's arrival and their subsequent escape route.
"Not a single culprit involved in this case will be spared. Police have been instructed to arrest the accused as soon as possible and take strictest action," Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar said while condoling Nafe Singh Rathi's death.
Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij has instructed the officials to take immediate action in the case.
Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi and his close associate Kala Jathedi are suspected to be behind the attack. Initial inquiries suggest that the attack was due to a property dispute.
The incident has drawn sharp response from the opposition which alleged a breakdown in law and order in the BJP-ruled state. INLD leader Abhay Chautala claimed that Nafe Singh Rathi wasn't provided security even though he "asked for it in writing" months ago.
The opposition Congress and Aam Aadmi Party also hit out at the Manohar Lal Khattar government over the incident.
Nafe Singh Rathi served twice as a legislator in the Haryana Legislative Assembly. He was also the state president of the Haryana Former Legislators Association. Rathi once contested Lok Sabha elections from Rohtak constituency and had been actively involved in political affairs.
He also served twice as the Chairman of the Bahadurgarh Municipal Council.
His name hit headlines last year when former Haryana minister Mange Ram Rathi's son Jagdish Rathi died by suicide and a case was filed against Nafe Singh Rathi under the charges of abetment. Allegations of harassment were subsequently leveled against Rathi and his nephew Sonu in connection with the suicide case. Rathi was granted anticipatory bail by the High Court on January 24, 2023.