An intermediate student was shot dead by criminals in Bhojpur district on Friday night. The student was on his way to a fair with his cousin when three bike-borne assailants shot him from behind. The deceased has been identified as Shantanu Kumar (18), son of Kundan Singh, a resident of Badgaon, Azimabad, who was an 11th-grade student.

The incident occurred in Pavna Bazar, under the Pavna police station area. Shantanu had come to visit his aunt Mala Devi's house for Durga Puja. His cousin, Sahil Kumar, stated that on Friday, they were walking with other boys to visit the Durga Puja fair. On the way, three armed assailants on a motorcycle approached them and shot Shantanu in the back. He fell, bleeding profusely, after being shot.

With the help of local residents, he was taken to Sadar Hospital, Arrah, where doctors declared him dead. He had already succumbed to his injuries before reaching the hospital. Shantanu's father works as a private guard in Patna.

The motive and identity of the killers are not yet clear. Sahil stated that he does not know the assailants. Upon receiving the information, Sub-Inspector Manju Patel of Pavna Police Station arrived at the scene. She informed that the police received information from villagers about a youth being shot by criminals. The family has not provided any details regarding a dispute. The police are investigating the matter on their own.