Midnight firing near Hanuman Temple in Bhawanipatna; youth arrested, two pistols seized

Panic gripped BBC Pada in Bhawanipatna town of Odisha’s Kalahandi district after a firing incident was reported near the Hanuman Temple under Town Police Station limits late Tuesday night.

According to sources, the incident occurred around midnight when a man was standing outside his house. A minor argument reportedly broke out between two individuals, which suddenly escalated. During the altercation, an inebriated youth allegedly fired a shot.

The accused has been identified as Yashwant Nayak, a resident of BBC Pada. It is alleged that he had two Mauser pistols at the time of the incident.

Fortunately, the shot was reportedly a blank fire and no injuries were reported.

Upon receiving information, police rushed to the spot and launched a search operation. At around 1 am, a police team reached Nayak’s residence, questioned him, and subsequently took him into custody.

During the operation, police seized two Mauser pistols and detained three persons for questioning. Yashwant Nayak has been formally arrested in connection with the case.

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Authorities are now investigating how the accused procured the firearms and for what purpose they were being kept. Police are also examining whether others were involved in the incident.

Further investigation is underway.