Ground Report

A five-member gang hacked Shanavaz, 35, the first accused in the Kottakka Babu murder case, in Chalakudy on Wednesday, the police said. Shanavaz was playing cards with his friends when the gang arrived in an autorickshaw. The gang threw country-made bombs and scared onlookers away and attacked Shanavaz. Another person, George, was also assaulted, but he managed to escape. Shanavaz was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared brought dead.