NEW DELHI — Police in northwest Delhi launched a murder investigation after bike-borne assailants gunned down 18-year-old Ishant near Azadpur in the early hours of Sunday.

The call came in at 2:28 a.m., alerting officers to an injured man lying on the road, according to a police official. A team arrived quickly and transported Ishant, a Jahangirpuri resident, to Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial Hospital. Doctors there pronounced him dead upon examination.

Preliminary details point to Ishant heading home from a wedding when the attackers pulled up and fired on him, the official said. Officers scoured the scene and found empty cartridges scattered nearby. A crime team and forensic experts combed the area, gathering key evidence for analysis.

Ishant’s body went to the mortuary for post-mortem to confirm the cause of death and collect further clues. Investigators identified potential suspects shortly after and formed special teams to track them down.

CCTV footage from the vicinity is under review. Police hope the videos will reveal the assailants’ movements and help reconstruct the attack’s timeline.

The sudden violence in a busy neighborhood like Azadpur has prompted quick action from law enforcement. Officers cordoned off the site soon after arrival, preserving it for detailed inspection. No arrests have been made yet, but the probe moves fast, the official noted.

Local residents expressed shock over the incident. Azadpur, known for its wholesale fruit market, sees heavy foot and vehicle traffic even late at night. Witnesses described hearing gunshots but scattered before police arrived.

Authorities appealed for public tips. They believe community input could speed up the hunt for those responsible. The case falls under routine homicide protocols, with ballistics tests pending on the recovered shells.

Delhi police have ramped up night patrols in the area following similar incidents in recent months. This killing marks the latest in a string of motorcycle-related shootings across the capital, though motives remain unclear in Ishant’s death.

Investigators continue door-to-door inquiries in Jahangirpuri and Azadpur. They question family, friends, and wedding guests to uncover any rivalries or grudges that might explain the ambush.

Post-mortem results are expected within 24 hours. Once available, they will guide the next phase of the investigation, including weapon tracing.