A businessman was shot dead in broad daylight near Sahadevkhunta Adarsha police station in Baleshwar on Thursday, sending shockwaves through the area.
The victim, identified as Sekh Hamid (38), was attacked barely 600 meters from the station at Arad Bazaar around 3:30 pm.
Eyewitnesses said Hamid was travelling along the Balibil road when assailants approached him and fired multiple rounds at close range. Police sources confirmed that seven to eight bullets struck him. Locals rushed him to the district headquarters hospital, but doctors declared him dead.
Investigators suspect business rivalry or a dispute over land dealings may have triggered the attack. Hamid owned a car accessories shop named “Car Fashion Zone” near Remuna and was visiting a relative’s house when the shooting occurred.
Police have launched an intensive search operation and are scanning CCTV footage from nearby areas to identify the attackers. Senior officers from multiple units have joined the probe.
The murder came just a day after police held a press briefing claiming success in crime control across Baleshwar. The daylight killing has now raised serious questions about public safety and law enforcement efficiency.
Tension gripped the district hospital after Hamid’s body arrived, with relatives and locals demanding swift justice. Police have deployed additional personnel to prevent unrest and maintain order.
