Kandhamal: In a tragic incident, a Class 10 student was killed after being shot allegedly in accidental way during a hunting expedition in Kandhamal district.

The incident took place late Saturday night in Budeni village under Tikabali police limits. The deceased has been identified as Bibhuti Kahanr.

According to reports, Bibhuti had recently appeared for his Class 10 board examinations and was staying in the hostel of Ranapatuli High School. He was taken along by two youth, Pratap Kahanr and Suman Bindhani, for hunting in the nearby Maniadami forest.

Pratap had allegedly borrowed an unlicensed country-made gun from a villager, while Suman carried another firearm and a sharp weapon. Shots were fired from both weapons and one of the bullets reportedly struck Bibhuti near his right eye and pierced through the back of his head, resulting in his death on the spot.

Following the incident, both Pratap and Suman fled the forest. Pratap reportedly returned the firearm to its owner before going absconding, while Suman informed his family and the victim’s relatives about the incident.

Bibhuti’s family members rushed to the forest during the night and recovered his body.

Today morning, Bibhuti’s father lodged a complaint at the Tikabali Police Station. A police team reached the spot, seized the body, and sent it to the district headquarters hospital in Phulbani for post-mortem.

After registering a case (No. 86/26), the police seized two unlicensed firearms and other materials. While the prime accused, Pratap, remains absconding, two persons have been detained for questioning.

A scientific team from Boudh is assisting in the investigation and has visited the spot.