PATNA: A five-year-old boy was shot dead while he was playing with his friends outside his house at Sihma village under the Bithan police station in Samastipur district on Friday evening.

Police said the murder was probably the fallout of a land dispute between the child's family members and one of their neighbours.Rosera SDPO Shivam Kumar said the victim was identified by Aryan Kumar, son of one Bipin Kumar.

"The family has filed an FIR against one of their neighbours, Chhotu Yadav (18), accusing him of killing Aryan.

The accused is absconding, but his family members have been detained for interrogation," the SDPO added.He said Aryan's family members had a dispute with the kin of the accused over a piece of land.

"The accused was living at his maternal grandparents' house at Sihma village.

Police are investigating the case from all angles.

Raids are on to arrest Chhotu," the SDPO said.According to police, Aryan was rushed to Hasanpur primary health centre where the doctors declared him brought dead.