Patna: A 26-year-old man was killed and his friend critically injured after they were shot by bike-borne assailants at Madhopur village under the Kalyanpur police station area of Samastipur district on Monday afternoon.According to police, the deceased was identified as Amit Kumar alias Fekan, son of late Upendra Rai and a resident of Uttarsari village under Chakmehsi police station area. The injured man, identified as 27-year-old Rajeev Kumar of Jitwariya Chandni Chowk under Kalyanpur police station, was referred to Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) due to the severity of his injuries.As per preliminary investigation, Amit and Rajeev reached Madhopur Chowk around 1pm on separate motorcycles. Three youths, who had arrived on another bike, were already present there. After a brief conversation, all five reportedly went together towards a maize field near the Budhi Gandak river. An argument broke out over an undisclosed issue, during which one group allegedly issued threats. Moments later, the other side allegedly opened indiscriminate fire.Amit sustained multiple bullet injuries to his head, chest and other parts of the body and died on the spot, while Rajeev suffered three gunshot wounds.Police recovered a motorcycle, a pistol and several empty cartridges from the crime scene. Officials said Amit had a criminal history, with cases of murder and kidnapping registered against him, though he was presently engaged in small-scale business.Samastipur additional superintendent of police Sanjay Kumar Pandey said prima facie the incident appeared to be linked to gang rivalry. “The deceased was an accused in several criminal cases. The matter is being investigated from all possible angles,” he said. Further investigation is underway to identify and arrest the shooters.
