Patna, July 29: A Class X student was today killed in a suspected case of honour killing and her male friend critically injured in Gopalganj district, around 160km northwest of Patna. The incident sparked tension in the village as the boy and the girl were from different castes.

High school student Rekha Kumari (18) was on way to her coaching classes with friends on a bicycle around 7am at Pithauri village under Thawe police station area. Bablu Kumar (22), a resident of Pithauri, allegedly accosted her and took her to a nearby mango orchard. Two of her friends tried to stop him, in vain.

The girls informed Rekha's family who reached the spot to find her lying in a pool of blood. Her male friend was also found writhing in pain nearby, an investigating officer quoted Rekha's father Jitendra Sharma as saying.

Police said the girl had been shot in her chest and the boy had deep cut injuries on his neck. Both were rushed to the local government sadar hospital where doctors declared Rekha dead. Bablu is undergoing treatment.

Gopalganj sub-divisional police officer Manoj Kumar said a country-made pistol and a knife were found at the spot. Additional security forces had been deployed as a precautionary measure, Manoj said.

"Prima facie it appears to be a case of honour killing," Manoj said. "The role of the girl's family is under police scanner."

Rekha's friends told the police that Bablu had earlier threatened her with dire consequences after she refused to marry him, the officer added.

Gopalganj superintendent of police Ravi Ranjan said a probe was under way.

Youth found dead

Anil Kumar Choudhary, who had gone missing from Bhore market in Gopalganj district a week ago, was found dead on Thursday.

Police said his body was found at an under-construction building of a government high school in Kalyanpur. Empty bottles of acid were recovered from the spot, suggesting he was drenched in acid, leading to death.