Bhubaneswar: The death toll in the brutal attack at Kolathia under Khandagiri police limits in Bhubaneswar has risen to two after the injured father of the slain youth succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at AIIMS Bhubaneswar today.

The deceased has been identified as Himanshu Padhi (54), who died during treatment after remaining critically injured in the attack. His daughter, Tapasi Padhi, continues to undergo treatment for the injuries she sustained while trying to save her family.

The incident occurred during the early hours on Monday when two unidentified masked assailants allegedly entered the family's house and attacked 20-year-old Krushna Chandra Padhi alias Buddhi with an iron rod. Krushna, a second-year undergraduate student and a native of Sorada in Ganjam district, succumbed to his injuries on Monday morning.

Himanshu, a priest at a local temple, and his daughter Tapasi were seriously injured after intervening to rescue Krushna from the attackers. Himanshu had been admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar in critical condition.

Police said the Padhi family had been residing on a relative's land at Kolathia along National Highway-16 for nearly two decades. The family had already suffered the loss of Krushna's mother about a year ago.

It is suspected that the attack was a fallout of a triangular love story.

Police have launched a detailed investigation into the incident. CCTV footage from the surrounding area is being examined, while forensic experts have collected evidence from the crime scene. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the masked attackers who fled after committing the crime.