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Road rage drama in Matiana: ‘Gun-Wielding Tourists’ spreads panic—Truth turns out stranger than fiction
Shimla, April 5,
For nearly half an hour, Matiana market believed it was dealing with armed tourists.
A luxury Audi, a reckless overtake, a man knocked down—and then, what looked like a pistol flashing in the middle of a crowded bazaar. Panic spread fast. Shopkeepers froze, bystanders backed away, and whispers of “gun” rippled through the market as tempers flared.
According to police, the chaos began around 5:50 PM when a Delhi-registered Audi attempted a risky overtake in the narrow Matiana stretch, hitting a local resident and triggering a heated confrontation. But what turned a routine road rage incident into a full-blown scare was what followed next.
Eyewitnesses claimed the occupants pulled out what appeared to be a handgun—waving it to intimidate locals and disperse the crowd.
That single moment changed everything.
As fear gripped the area and locals began gathering in numbers, the accused sped off, leaving behind confusion, anger, and the looming fear of an armed escape.
But the chase didn’t last long.
Police teams from Theog swiftly moved in, setting up a naka at Premghat Chowk. The Audi was intercepted, and both occupants—identified as Ujjwal Jain and Sohil Arora, residents of Saharanpur—were taken into custody.
And then came the twist.
The “pistol” that triggered panic across Matiana wasn’t a weapon at all.
It was a Chinese-made lighter—crafted to look almost identical to a real handgun.
What had moments earlier felt like a potentially life-threatening situation now stood exposed as a bizarre mix of recklessness, intimidation, and illusion.
Also read:Significant decline in Road accidents and fatalities: Himachal bucks National trend
Police have registered an FIR against the accused for dangerous driving, causing injury, and creating public panic. The injured local reportedly sustained minor injuries.
But the incident leaves behind a larger question—when a fake gun can create real fear, how thin is the line between mischief and menace on Himachal’s crowded hill roads?
About the Author
The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
