Bhubaneswar, May 12 -- A youth was critically injured after being brutally attacked with a sword on a public road in Berhampur, with preliminary reports indicating that long-standing rivalry between two groups may have triggered the assault.

The incident took place in Bendalia village under Sadar Police Station limits, where three unidentified assailants allegedly attacked the victim before fleeing the scene on Tuesday.

The injured youth has been identified as Pinku Sethi. According to reports, he had gone to a nearby pond early in the morning to attend nature's call when he was suddenly attacked by three persons armed with sharp weapons.

Although the exact motive behind the attack is yet to be officially established, police suspect th...