New Delhi, Apr 1 (IANS): A 42-year-old businessman was gunned down allegedly by a group of five assailants, including the son of one of his friends with whom he had a fight 30 minutes before the murder, a police officer said on Monday.

The victim has been identified as Mehtab, a resident of Kabir Nagar in north Delhi. The police said the incident took place at around 9.30 p.m. on Sunday when a group of assailants carrying firearms barged into Mehtab's house.

"The assailants, including the son of Mehtab's friend Mushir, opened several rounds of fire on him. When Mehtab collapsed on the ground, the accused persons escaped while firing in the air to terrorise the local people," said Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) A.K. Thakur.

"Mehtab, who ran a flower decoration business, was taken to a nearby hospital where he was declared brought dead," Thakur said.

"During investigation, it was found that half-an-hour before he was attacked, Mehtab had a fight with his friend Mushir. Mushir's son, along with his four accomplices, later barged into Mehtab's residence and gunned him down," the DCP said.

"We have identified the accused and hunt is on to nab them," he added.