Patna, April 27: A 40-year-old realty dealer was shot dead this morning barely 30m away from his residence at Fakirbara locality in Lodhikatwa in Patna City.

Five assailants opened fire at him at a tea stall under the jurisdiction of Khajekala police station. They fled hurling bombs.

Mohammed Firoz, the victim, had recently ventured into the real estate business. He went to the neighbouring tea stall around 8.30am. The five assailants surfaced all of a sudden and fired a shot at Firoz. Stunned, Firoz ran for cover. The criminals chased him spraying bullets. The victim ran into a lane for cover. But he fell down losing balance.

Taking advantage of the helplessness of Firoz, the criminals shot him in the head from point blank range. They hurled two bombs and fled.

Police said the deceased had a criminal history. “It seems to be a case of rivalry over a land deal. We are suspecting involvement of Pappu Mian, a criminal of the area,” Patna City superintendent of police Shivdeep Lande said.