Baleshwar: Tension gripped Baleshwar town on Thursday after a businessman was shot dead in broad daylight. The incident occurred at Arada Bazaar under the Sahadevkhunta police limits.

The deceased has been identified as Sk Hamid. According to reports, two unidentified miscreants arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire indiscriminately at the businessman. The attackers reportedly fired around eight rounds before fleeing the scene.

Hamid sustained critical injuries in the firing and was immediately rushed to the Baleshwar District Headquarters Hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

The incident triggered panic among locals and traders in the busy market area. Upon receiving information, Sahadevkhunta police reached the spot and initiated an investigation.

While the exact motive behind the murder is yet to be ascertained, the police suspect business rivalry or personal enmity could be the reason behind the killing. Authorities are probing all possible angles to identify and apprehend the culprits.