Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh | July 4, 2025 : Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Mohammad Arif was critically injured in a targeted shooting incident in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday evening, sparking tensions in the region and launching a high-profile investigation into what police suspect could be either a politically motivated attack or a personal vendetta.

The incident occurred in the Jamalpur area, where Mohammad Arif, a prominent local face of the SP, was returning from a community gathering. According to initial reports, unknown assailants on a motorcycle intercepted his vehicle and opened fire at close range. Arif sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was immediately rushed to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, where he underwent emergency surgery. As of this morning, his condition is reported to be stable but critical.

The brazen attack in broad daylight has sent shockwaves through political circles and the local populace. Arif is known for his vocal stance on regional issues and his active role in party affairs. Following the attack, a large number of SP workers and supporters gathered at the hospital and outside police stations, demanding swift justice and the immediate arrest of those responsible.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kalanidhi Naithani reached the spot with a special team and is personally overseeing the investigation. In a late-night briefing, the SSP stated, “We have formed several teams to trace the attackers. We are analysing CCTV footage from the area, recording eyewitness accounts, and not ruling out any angle at this stage.”

Sources close to the investigation reveal that two primary lines of inquiry are being considered: political rivalry and personal enmity. “Arif had been active in opposing several recent land development proposals, which had created friction between him and certain influential individuals,” said a local political observer. “He was also expected to contest the upcoming municipal elections, which might have raised tensions.”

The police have detained a few individuals for questioning and are also looking into past complaints and threats received by Arif. Meanwhile, the Samajwadi Party leadership has condemned the attack and called it a sign of deteriorating law and order under the current state government.

“This is not just an attack on a party leader it’s an attack on democracy,” said SP spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary. “We demand an impartial inquiry and the arrest of the culprits at the earliest. The Yogi government cannot wash its hands of responsibility.”

Security in sensitive areas of Aligarh has been beefed up, with additional deployment of police forces to prevent any flare-up of tensions. Local leaders from multiple parties, including the BJP and Congress, have also visited the hospital to express solidarity.

As Mohammad Arif continues to battle for his life in the ICU, the case has taken on statewide political significance. The outcome of the investigation and the urgency with which it is handled may influence not only public sentiment in Aligarh but also political dynamics across western Uttar Pradesh in the run-up to the 2025 state elections.