Balasore, Mar 24: Two youths sustained critical injuries in a late-night shooting at Arada Bazaar in Balasore, Odisha, on Monday, prompting a police investigation.

The victims, Manoj Sahu and Kartik Prasad, were initially taken to Balasore District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) by locals after suffering gunshot wounds. One was injured in the back, while the other sustained a hand injury. Due to the severity of their condition, both were later shifted to Cuttack for advanced medical care.

Both youths are residents of the Nua Bazaar area under the jurisdiction of the Sahadevkhunta Police Station. Preliminary reports suggest that past enmity may have been the motive behind the attack. Police reached the spot immediately after being informed and began investigating the circumstances.

Sources said that a shotgun, commonly used for hunting, may have been involved in the shooting, though officials have yet to confirm the exact weapon or identities of the attackers.