Bhubaneswar, March 24 -- Two youths sustained critical injuries in a firing incident at Arada Bazaar in Odisha's Balasore late Monday night, prompting a police investigation.

The injured have been identified as Manoj Sahu and Kartik Prasad. Both suffered gunshot wounds and were initially taken to the Balasore District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) by locals for immediate treatment.

According to reports, one of the victims sustained a bullet injury to his back, while the other was injured in the hand. Considering their critical condition, both were later shifted to Cuttack for advanced medical care.

The injured youths are residents of Nua Bazaar area in Balasore, which falls under the jurisdiction of Sahadevkhunta Police Station.

Prelimi...