Cuttack, March 26: Two motorcycle-borne goons fired at a trader and looted nearly Rs 30,000 in cash near Mastan Road in Mangalabag police limits on Thursday.

Though the goons took away the cash from Sayed Mehmud, the spare parts shop owner managed to escape unhurt. The incident occurred at 12.15pm when he was on his way to a market on his scooter.

The accused fired one round at Mehmud and escaped after the magazine of the gun dropped from the weapon's socket.

This is the second shoot-out incident in the city in the last one week.

"My brother was on his way to buy some machine parts when two persons on a motorcycle fired at him from a close range and decamped with the money," said Sayed Ricky. He also alleged that last week a few goons had demanded money from Mehmud and threatened his brother with dire consequences if he failed to pay up.

"We suspect that Mehmud has been attacked over past rivalry. Investigation is on," said Sanjeev Arora, deputy commissioner of police.

Though the businessman escaped unhurt, today's incident has raised question on the existing securing arrangements near the major commercial centres and busy junctions in the city.

"Today's incident should be an eye opener for the cops. They should strengthen security as several businessmen in the city have fallen prey to criminals," said Akash Sahu, a resident of Badambadi.

Another trader had a close shave and escaped with minor injuries in a similar firing incident near Arunodaya nagar market on March 23.

The trader, Prashant Patra, had sustained a bullet injury after a few goons fired at him around 11.15pm on Monday.

The criminals had fired three rounds and fled from the spot after the trader shot back.

The police so far are clueless about those involved in the attack on Patra and claimed that the efforts were on to nab the culprits.