Ludhiana, Aug. 1 -- Two friends suffered bullet injuries after occupants of an SUV reportedly opened fire at a trio following an altercation outside a shopping mall in Bhai Randhir Singh Nagar on Friday evening, police said. Investigators suspect the firing was the fallout of an old rivalry between two groups.

According to the preliminary investigation, the victims, in their 20s, were travelling in a Mahindra Scorpio when it came alongside a Fortuner at a traffic signal outside the mall. Police said an argument broke out between the occupants of the two vehicles, following which one of the occupants of the Fortuner allegedly pulled out a firearm and opened fire.

Eyewitnesses said four to five rounds were fired before the accused fled to...