Sundaragada: A 45-year-old security guard was murdered by unidentified miscreants while guarding a private company's crusher unit at Sargigarh village under Koida police station limits in Odisha's Sundaragada district on Monday night.

The deceased has been identified as Sanatan Munda. He was on duty guarding the company's materials when the incident took place.

According to reports, tension had been prevailing in Sargigarh village over the opening of a new mine. However, it is not yet clear whether the murder was linked to the mining-related dispute.

The motive behind the killing and the identity of those involved were unknown.

Police have launched an investigation into the incident and are examining the circumstances surrounding the murder.