Throwing an open challenge to police, unidentified miscreants opened fire at the owner of a jewellery shop at Dhanupalli Square in Sambalpur town before speeding away from the spot on a bike on Friday noon.
The injured shop owner has been identified as Sujit Swarnakar.
According to sources, the targeted jewellery shop is located at Dhanupalli Square, a crowded place in the town. It was around 2.15 - 2.30 pm when six miscreants reached the shop. While two entered the shop posing as customers, four stayed outside.
The two miscreants reportedly asked the staff to show them a gold chain and then attempted to loot ornaments from the shop. However, the shop owner’s younger brother confronted them, leading to a scuffle. They couldn’t loot anything from the shop, but before leaving, they opened fire at the shop owner.
On being informed, police reached the spot and have launched a probe. They are questioning the staff of the shop and analysing the footage of the CCTV cameras installed at the shop.
“As per our initial investigation, six miscreants had come. First, one person came, and then the other five arrived. They first asked the staff to show them some jewellery. Thereafter, they took out pistols and attempted to snatch the chains. The shop owner’s younger brother opposed them and a scuffle ensued. Later, they opened fire before fleeing from the spot. The injured person has been admitted to VIMSAR, Burla,” said Ajay Kumar Mishra, additional SP of Sambalpur.