Puri, March 28: Tension gripped Puri after a youth was found brutally murdered in the Dhobakhala area under Penthakata on Saturday. The incident has triggered panic among local residents.

According to preliminary reports, the unidentified assailants killed the youth in a gruesome manner. The deceased has been identified as Tapu Nayak, a resident Badashankha area.

On receiving information, police from Sea Beach Police Station along with the City DSP rushed to the spot and launched an investigation. The body was recovered and sent to Puri District Headquarters Hospital for post-mortem examination.

Police said the investigation is underway to ascertain the motive behind the murder. The exact cause of the crime is yet to be established and is expected to be known after the post-mortem report and further probe.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened in the area as police continue their investigation.