Bhubaneswar: A 17-year-old boy was allegedly shot dead at point-blank range in a retaliatory attack at Bomikhal here early on Saturday, prompting swift police action that led to the arrest of seven persons, including a minor, within hours of the incident.According to police, the deceased, identified as a child in conflict with law (CCL) of Haldiapadia, sustained a gunshot injury on his head and collapsed on the spot. Police rushed him to a nearby facility, but doctors declared him brought dead. The accused were identified as Satyajit Behera (18), Kunu Ratan (18), Manoj Behera (18), Dibya Kumbhar (19), Biswajit Hati (19), Lipun Jena (32) and one minor.According to investigators, the killing was the culmination of a clash between two groups with a history of past enmity. Preliminary findings suggested that the deceased and some of his associates allegedly disrupted a feast being hosted by the rival group. During the confrontation, bombs were reportedly hurled at the gathering, escalating tensions.DCP Sarvana Vivek said the attack was carried out in retaliation immediately after the alleged bombing. “The deceased CCL and his friends hurled bombs at the party the other group was having. At the spur of the moment, from a very close range one from the group shot Sonu,” he said.Police said a single bullet struck the deceased in the head, proving fatal. Officers have seized the firearm allegedly used in the crime. Investigators are examining whether additional shots were fired and are working to reconstruct the sequence of events leading to the murder.Police commissioner S Dev Datta Singh said the force moved quickly, arresting four suspects even before an FIR was formally lodged. Three more persons were later taken into custody after registration of the case.“There was previous enmity between the two groups, although verification revealed that none except one had criminal antecedents. Even the deceased did not have a criminal past. Investigation is continuing and anyone else found involved will be arrested,” Singh said.The commissioner attributed such violent flare-ups to issues of ego and temperament, noting that the police are attempting to strengthen engagement with slum communities and improve intelligence gathering to prevent crimes through timely intervention.Police believe the two rival groups challenged each other during the confrontation, ultimately leading to the fatal shooting. Further investigation is underway to identify other individuals involved and establish the complete chain of events.