14 yr old Odisha boy found dead with head smashed

BARGARH: Mystery shrouds the death of a Class IX student whose body was found with his head smashed in a forest near Kendugudia village in Bhatli block here on Monday.

The deceased was identified as 14-year-old Samir Pradhan. Sources said on Sunday morning, Samir was at home when one of his friends from nearby Sirabahal village called him outside. Both of them were seen roaming together till 10 am. However, the boy did not return home till late afternoon.

Worried family members launched a search but could not trace him. Subsequently, they lodged a missing complaint with Bhatli police. On Monday morning, some villagers found the boy’s bicycle lying in the nearby forest. On being informed, police along with Samir’s family members rushed to the spot and found his body with severe head injuries.