The newspaper had earlier reported that a forensic analysis of four empty cartridges and the four bullets fired to kill Lankesh had found that the markings on the bullets and cartridges were similar to those found on the bullets and cartridges fired to kill Kalburgi. This hinted at the possibility that Lankesh and Kalburgi were shot with the same 7.65-mm pistol and suggested that one common group is behind the two killings.