One man was in a critical condition in hospital and another in custody last night after a stabbing in the Highland capital.
Police launched a major investigation following the incident in the city’s Millburn area and sealed-off a property in Dirriebught Road.
Officers carried out door-to-door inquiries and residents were told to stay out of their back gardens as forensic teams examined the area behind their homes.
It is understood the victim was taken to Raigmore Hospital suffering from multiple stab wounds and a facial injury.
His attacker is also believed to have been hurt, although not seriously.
An area close to Millburn Academy was cordoned-off by blue police incident tape.
Officers concentrated their forensic investigations and a search on a grassy area where there is a scout hut.
The ground is bordered by Diriebught Road, Midmills Road and Diriebught Court.
One resident said she heard shouting and saw the light of torches after the emergency services were called to Diriebught Road.
She added: “I heard that there had been a stabbing, which came as quite a shock.”
Another resident described bringing her young daughter, who was playing in her back yard, into the house after she came rushing in to say that “men are fighting”.
One house in the street had its front path taped off, and two forensics officers filmed the entrance and door before unlocking and entering the premises just after 4.10pm yesterday.
Curtains were drawn over two upstairs windows at the front of the house and two downstairs windows were shielded by blinds as police examined the inside of the property.
A uninformed officer was on guard at the gate of the house.
Meanwhile, several police vehicles were parked at various points in the neighbourhood as police made sure no one attempted to enter the cordoned-off area.
By 6.30pm last night, the cordon had been lifted, although the forensic team remained inside one of the houses.
Officers were called to Diriebught Road late on Wednesday night.
A police spokesman said: “We attended a disturbance at 9.55pm, after which one man was detained and another taken to Raigmore Hospital, where his condition is being monitored.”