A Telangana Communist Party of India (CPI) leader was killed on the spot on Tuesday after unidentified assailants opened fire on him during his morning walk at Malakpet here, police said. A previous enmity stemming out of a land dispute seems to be the reason behind the killing of K Chandu Naik, police said citing preliminary information.

The assailants came in a car, opened fire on Naik, 47, a state council member of the CPI, while he was on a morning walk near a park at around 7.30 am. After they shot multiple rounds, he died on the spot, a senior police officer said. The accused then fled the scene. A police team rushed to the spot and initiated an investigation. Deputy Commissioner of Police (South East Zone) S Chaitanya Kumar, told reporters that at least three to four persons were involved in the firing targeting Naik.

Police recovered three fired rounds and two unfired rounds from the spot. Based on the recovery of these, it seems only one weapon was used in the firing.  The DCP said police were verifying the routes of the car in which the assailants came. CCTV footage in the area was also being analysed. Ten teams have been formed to investigate the murder and nab the accused, police said.