Police said two students, sons of property dealers, are believed to have fired five bullets from a licensed pistol at Abhishek Tyagi following a quarrel in the corridor at the end of the classes in the Euro International School.

Tyagi, who received four shots in all, including one in the temple and two on his chest from a close range, died on the way to hospital. No one else was injured in the shooting in the school in this prosperous satellite town outside Delhi.

The two boys, who are believed to have shot Tyagi dead, are detained by police.

Manoj Tyagi, a friend of Rajinder Tyagi, whose son was killed, told police that Abhishek had some quarrel with some of his colleagues a few days ago but the dispute between them had been resolved.