A 19-year-old was critically injured after his right arm was severed with a sword during a quarrel in the northern state of Punjab, police said.
Bhupinder Singh, a resident of Zirakpur near Chandigarh, was allegedly assaulted by Gurpreet Singh and his seven associates over a long-standing rivalry.
Police said Bhupinder Singh arrived at the scene on Saturday after his brother, Ranveer Singh, called him for help saying he was being beaten by Gurpreet Singh.
What began as a verbal altercation quickly escalated into a violent attack, during which Gurpreet Singh allegedly struck Bhupinder Singh with a sword, police said.
As Bhupinder Singh tried to defend himself with his hand, he suffered a partial loss of his arm, as well as serious wounds to his chest and back.
His brother Ranveer Singh was also attacked and sustained injuries to his head and eye.
The assailants fled the scene, police said.
“Despite attempts to defend himself, Bhupinder was repeatedly attacked, resulting in his right arm being partially severed near the elbow. He also suffered deep injuries to his chest and waist before collapsing on the ground,” an officer said.
Bhupinder Singh was initially taken to the Civil Hospital in Dhakoli before being transferred to the Government Medical College and Hospital in Chandigarh due to the severity of his condition.
Investigators are reviewing CCTV footage from the area to identify and catch the suspects.
Zirakpur police chief Satinder Singh said officers arrived on the scene within 10 minutes of the incident and recorded the statement of the injured.
“He is in extremely critical condition. Doctors are making every possible effort to save him. The accused will be arrested soon,” he added.