A senior postal department official on Thursday allegedly opened fire at his colleague at a post office in a village in Moga where he arrived in disguise to conceal his identity.

Police said that Rajpal Singh, a head postmaster, opened fire at his colleague Jaswinder Singh, an assistant postmaster, at the post office in Gholian Khurd village of Nihal Singh Wala division of Moga.

Police said that Rajpal Singh had gone to the post office in disguise. He opened fire at his colleague with his licenced 32 bore weapon thrice, police said, adding that Jaswinder Singh received two bullet injuries and his condition continues to be serious. He was taken to Moga Civil Hospital from where he was referred to DMCH Ludhiana.

Police said that the head postmaster tried to flee from the spot on his two-wheeler but was nabbed by locals. Soon his artificial beard and moustache came out revealing his identity.

Police said Jaswinder Singh belonged to Nahal Khote village of Moga. On Thursday, Rajpal Singh, who was posted as head postmaster at Moga, took leave from work and reached Gholian Khurd post office in disguise.

Police said that the local staff at the village post office could not recognise Rajpal Singh as he wore a “kurta pyjama” on his shirt and trousers. He also wore an artificial beard and moustache. He kept sitting inside the post office for some time and then also signalled an employee to bring him water.

After some time when the post office had relatively less visitors, he went inside the cabin where Jaswinder Singh was working and opened fire. He fired thrice, two bullets hit Jaswinder Singh in his thigh and stomach.

Police sources said that both men had some enmity due to work and they also had an argument some days ago over some issue.

SP (investigation) Ajay Raj Singh said that the 32 bore weapon used in crime was Rajpal Singh’s licenced weapon. “We have registered an FIR for attempt to murder and under Arms Act against Rajpal Singh at Nihal Singh Wala police station. Jaswinder Singh has undergone a surgery at DMCH and the exact reason will be clear only after recording his statement. Rajpal Singh had also suffered a minor injury as he had a fall while trying to escape,” said the SP.