The grandson of former Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma allegedly fired at former Minister and Congress candidate from Kathua Assembly Constituency Babu Singh in  Kathua district.

"Panic gripped the Kathua town last night at around 21:50 hrs when Mangat Ram Sharma’s grandson Nitin Sharma alias Sharu allegedly fired outside the house of Mr Babu Singh," police sources here today said.

They said the accused fled away from the spot after the incident.

"We acted swiftly on a complaint registered by Mr Singh and arrested the accused and also seized his licensed country made pistol," a senior police official said.

He said old rivalry or some personal dispute seems to be the reason behind, but the matter is being investigated.

"We (family) had a narrow escape last night when the accused fired at us," Mr Singh alleged while talking to UNI.

"The accused misbehaved with my wife and kids and later opened fire," he further alleged that he was being sheltered by influential family.

"It was a well knitted game plan to attack me ahead of Assembly polls," the former Congress Minister said and demanded imposition of Public Safety Act on the accused.

Pertinent to mention here that the accused is the son of Subhash Sharma, who is also the contesting Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate from Kathua Assembly Segment and a political rival of Mr Babu Singh.

Babu Singh remained Minister of State for Sports and Power during PDP-Congress Coalition Government in 2002.