Two men sustained bullet injuries, with one of them being grievously wounded, when criminals opened fire on them on Tuesday at the Dhangadha village in Chatra.

Two bike riders shot Prahlad Singh(50), president of the Magadh Amrapali Truck Owners Association in Tandwa, on the chest, when he was visiting the village. A villager named Manoj Pasi, who tried to catch the attackers, also sustained bullet injuries on his left arm.

Singh was immediately taken to Chatra Sadar Hospital, but seeing his critical condition, doctors referred him to Ranchi. He has been admitted to Medica Hospital in the state capital.

Pasi is out of danger and is being treated at the Sadar Hospital.

Chatra superintendent of police Rishav Kumar Jha said a probe has been launched and the attackers will not be spared.

Eyewitnesses told the police that the criminals fled the spot, taking the road towards Karma More.

Singh’s relatives told the police that he had been the target of extremists and criminals, and was receiving threat calls recently. However, it was not clear who was behind the attack.

“Police have started working on various angles. We will soon catch the culprits,” Jha said.

North Chota Nagpur DIG A.V. Homkar and Jha reached the spot later and asked officials at various points to look into the matter.