Patna: Tension gripped Bharkhandi tola in Khagaria district after armed men killed two persons, including a middle-aged woman, on Saturday morning.

The incident occurred around 5am when the relatives of one Rahul Kumar had gone to harvest the standing what crop on the outskirts of the village on Saturday.

A group of criminals, led by Rajendra Yadav, attacked Rahul and his family members, which led to firing in which four persons suffered bullet injuries.

Police said while a woman, identified as Rukmani Devi (45), died on the spot, Rahul (36) succumbed to his injuries during treatment at Khagaria Sadar hospital.

Two other injured, identified as Deepak Kumar and Devendra Prasad, were rushed to Khagaria Sadar hospital from where they were later referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital.

The deceased's brother, Raj Kumar, told the police that Rajendra and 25 of his associates, armed with weapons, attacked Rahul when he had gone to the agricultural field to get the wheat crop harvested. He later lodged an FIR against five named accused - Rajendra Yadav, Sarandev Yadav, Anuj Yadav, Devendra Yadav and Rajniti Yadav - and 20 unknown persons.

Gaurab Kumar, a close relative of Rukmani Devi, told the police that she had fallen prey to bullets when she went to rescue Devendra, who was mercilessly beaten up by Rahul and his goons.

"Devendra was seriously injured in the murderous attack," he said, adding that the two rival groups had an old dispute over a plot of land.

Khagaria superintendent of police Minu Kumar said additional armed forces had been deployed in the village as a precautionary measure.

"We are keeping close surveillance on the development and raids are underway to arrest the culprits," she told The Telegraph over phone on Saturday.

She said initially the two groups exchanged blows, which turned violent leading to firing.

The SP confirmed the death of two persons - one person from each side. The station house officer of Mufassil police station under whose jurisdiction Barkhandi Tola falls said the incident was the fallout of a land dispute.