A 49-year-old man is in hospital after being shot in the leg outside his home in Pyla just after midnight on Monday.

The shooting happened in front of the man’s 12-year-old daughter and his partner.

Police said the shooting happened around half past midnight. Earlier that night, the 49-year-old had gone to the airport to collect his partner and her daughter, before they all returned together to their home in Pyla.

The man was standing in the yard of his house when two shots were fired at him.

Police believe the gunman had been hiding outside the house, waiting for the victim to arrive. Officers believe the shots came from a pistol.

As soon as the victim stepped out of the car and tried to enter his yard, the attacker fired twice. One of the bullets hit the man in the leg, while the second reportedly struck a suitcase the family were carrying.

The gunman, who wore a hood to cover his face, ran away immediately after firing. A short time later, the sound of a motorbike was heard from a nearby location.

Police are investigating whether the gunman had an accomplice who picked him up after fleeing on foot, or whether the motorcycle noise was unrelated to the incident.

His identity is still unknown.

The victim suffered a wound that passed through his lower right leg. He was taken by ambulance to Larnaca General Hospital, where doctors confirmed his injuries. He remains in hospital for treatment.

Police investigators from the Larnaca crime investigation department are expected to carry out further examinations on Monday. At first light on Monday, officers resumed their search for evidence at the scene, aiming to collect items for forensic testing.

Police are also seeking CCTV footage that might have recorded the gunman’s movements before or after the attack.