Bhubaneswar, June 18: A serving ward member was killed and another person critically injured after they were allegedly attacked by unidentified miscreants in Bhadrak district on Wednesday night. The incident, which occurred in Uttaragadia village under Sarasada panchayat in the Bhandaripokhari area, has triggered shock and tension among local residents.

The deceased has been identified as Jagan Sahu, the elected ward member of Ward No. 13 of Sarasada panchayat. The injured person, Batakrushna Sahu, was initially treated at Bhandaripokhari Community Health Centre before being shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack as his condition deteriorated.

According to police, the attack took place around 10 pm when Jagan and Batakrushna were returning home from a local market. Preliminary investigations suggest that the assault may have been linked to previous personal enmity. The attackers reportedly lay in wait along the roadside and ambushed the duo using a sharp weapon.

Jagan sustained severe injuries to his neck, chest and abdomen and died on the spot. Batakrushna was seriously injured while trying to intervene and save him from the attack.

The brutal killing has sent shockwaves through the village, particularly because Jagan was a well-known public representative. Following the incident, police launched an intensive investigation and have taken two persons, Ratnakar Sahu and Jagadananda Nayak, into custody for questioning.

Sources said Ratnakar Sahu had allegedly been involved in an earlier attack on Jagan around two years ago and was later released on bail. Police are now investigating whether the latest assault was a pre-planned act of revenge. Further inquiries are underway, and officials said evidence is being collected to establish the exact sequence of events and identify all those involved in the crime.

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