Sonepur: Unidentified miscreants targeted the residence of BJD leader and Binika block Chairperson, Diptirekha Nanda at Singhijuba in Odisha’s Sonepur district, firing at least 25 rounds of bullets before fleeing the spot.
The incident occurred around midnight.
According to sources, four to five masked men arrived in an SUV, created a ruckus outside the main gate before launching a relentless barrage of gunfire at the house, lasting several minutes. While family members, including Diptirekha Nanda and her husband Ashok Nanda, the district president of youth wing of BJD, were inside the house during the attack, miraculously, no injuries or casualties were reported. However, the gunfire caused significant damage to property. Two cars parked on the premises, one inside the garage and another outside on the driveway, were riddled with multiple bullet holes.
“Around 11.30 pm, the miscreants arrived, Kicked the main gate, and started firing blank shots into the air before shooting directly at the property. They targeted our vehicles, firing four to five rounds straight into the cars,” said Ashok.
He stated that they are not aware of any personal or political enmity that could have triggered the attack. “I have no personal enmity with anyone. I have full faith in the police, and we are looking to them for security,” he added.
Binika Police, led by Sonepur SP, rushed to the spot late last night to cordon off the area and begin a preliminary investigation. A scientific team and forensic experts are scheduled to visit the crime scene to collect evidence, including bullet casings and empty shells. CCTV footage from the residence as well as surrounding areas are also being examined to identify the assailants and trace their movements.
