Fatehpur (UP): A news agency journalist was fatally stabbed in Bisauli on Bhitora Road located in Uttar Pradesh’s Fatehpur district, allegedly over a property dispute, late Wednesday night. His friend also sustained critical injuries in the attack and is currently under care at Hallett Hospital in Kanpur, media reports said.

The attack took place on the Bhitaura bypass of Sadar Kotwali at around midnight.

The victim has been identified as ANI journalist Dilip Saini, 38, and his friend Shahid Khan, a BJP minority Morcha leader, reported The Free Press Journal.

According to an ETV Bharat report, deceased Dilip Saini was a resident of LDA Colony Rajajipuram in Lucknow, while his friend Shahid is a resident of Lal Bazaar.

Police reports indicate that Saini, a local resident involved in property dealings in Fatehpur and Lucknow, was at home with Shahid when a group of over 16 people allegedly stormed in and attacked them with knives.

According to police, the victims and the assailants knew each other.

NDTV reported that both Saini and Khan were rushed to a district hospital and then referred to Kanpur's Lala Lajpat Rai Hospital.

Saini succumbed to his injuries despite being rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead upon arrival.

The assailants allegedly vandalized vehicles outside Saini's home before fleeing, leaving the community in shock.

“We were eating last night when Saini received a phone call. Then they [the attackers] came inside and started stabbing Dilip. When I tried to intervene, they stabbed me too. Shots were also fired. He did not make it," Khan was quoted as saying by NDTV.

A case has been registered against 16 suspects, including nine identified individuals and seven yet to be named.

CO City Sushil Dubey confirmed the incident's connection to a property dispute, and a case of assault, vandalism, and unlawful detainment has been filed.

“Efforts are underway to locate and apprehend the attackers,” Dubey was quoted as saying by Free Press Journal, adding that raids are being conducted to arrest the accused.

Fatehpur police chief Dhawal Jaiswal said the incident took place in the Kotwali area, reported NDTV.

"Dilip Saini, aged about 38, was stabbed. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Preliminary investigation has found that they all knew each other and some dispute arose. We are registering a case, all facts will be examined, and action will be taken," he was quoted as saying by NDTV.