Sundargarh, May 17: In a late-night incident in Odisha’s Sundargarh town, unidentified assailants allegedly opened fire outside the residence of businessman Sanjay Nanda, triggering concerns over a possible rivalry linked to the coal transport business.

Sources said two individuals arrived at Nanda’s residence on Mission Road in a car on Saturday night and asked to meet him. However, security personnel denied them entry, prompting the duo to leave the spot. Around 2:30 am, one of the suspects reportedly returned on a motorcycle and fired several rounds at the house before escaping.

No casualties or injuries were reported, as the security guards managed to avoid harm during the incident.

Following the attack, police from Sundargarh Town Police reached the scene and recovered bullet shells from the area. Investigators have reportedly identified the suspects and the vehicles involved through CCTV footage, including the car used during the initial visit and the motorcycle used in the shooting.

A search operation has been launched to trace and arrest those responsible.

Sanjay Nanda owns Maa Tarini Transport, and preliminary suspicions indicate that the firing may be connected to business disputes related to coal transportation operations under Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL).

Sources further claimed that Nanda had previously received death threats, and in connection with those threats, a youth had earlier been arrested.