A youth abducted after a firing incident in Rayagada town was found dead near the Nagavali River at Tumbiguda early Sunday morning.
The victim, identified as Nikhil Hadipa of Reli Sahi, became the target of a violent assault that shook the locality.
The attack occurred late Saturday night at Indira Nagar 3rd Line, where a group of unidentified assailants allegedly opened fire and abducted Nikhil before fleeing toward the Ring Road area. Witnesses said the confrontation began around 10 p.m. when several youths chased Nikhil using a motorcycle and a four-wheeler.
During the altercation, the attackers fired shots as Nikhil tried to escape. He ran into a nearby house for safety, but the assailants dragged him out and took him away by force. Hours later, his body was discovered near the Nagavali River close to Tumbiguda.
A scientific team reached the site early in the morning and began collecting evidence. Police recovered a used cartridge case from the scene and launched a detailed investigation.
Preliminary findings indicate that previous enmity may have led to the murder, though investigators are exploring all possible motives.
