Panic gripped Bhattiyapadav in Miyapadavu, within the Manjeswaram police station limits, on Monday afternoon (August 17) after a four-member gang allegedly threatened a shop owner and fired a gun into the air.

The incident occurred around 2 p.m. near Bhattiyapadav, where the gang allegedly confronted general store owner Shuhaib Moin Sheikh, threatened him and fired into the air before fleeing the scene.

According to the police, Miyapadavu natives Rahim and Khader Madankall, along with two others, arrived at the spot in a car and allegedly carried out the attack. The police said the two named suspects were involved in several criminal cases.

A preliminary investigation found that Shuhaib had a dispute with a person from Machampady a few days ago over a family-related issue. The police suspect that Monday’s incident was a continuation of that dispute and that the gang had arrived to intimidate him.

After threatening Shuhaib near his shop, one of the suspects allegedly took out a gun and fired into the air. The gunshot caused panic among local residents. No one was injured in the incident.

The suspects allegedly sped away in the car immediately after the firing. The Manjeswaram police reached the spot and began collecting evidence.

The police are examining details of the vehicle used by the suspects and tracking their movements. The suspects are believed to have fled towards Karnataka, the police said.