FIRING ON POLICE

FIRING ON POLICE

14-APRIL-ENG 9

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

ARA--------------------------A clash erupted between liquor smugglers and the police in the Karnamepur area of ​​Bhojpur. Upon being intercepted, the smugglers fled the scene, engaging in physical violence and opening fire. While the Station House Officer (SHO) and other police personnel narrowly escaped injury during the firing, one PTC (Police Training Constable) sustained injuries during the physical altercation. However, the police successfully arrested one of the smugglers, though three others managed to escape. The arrested smuggler has been identified as Sonu Kumar Pandey, son of Arvind Kumar Pandey, a resident of Sahjauli village within the Shahpur police station jurisdiction.

From the crime scene, the police recovered 18 liters of "English liquor" (foreign-made spirits) of various brands—loaded onto a scooter and an Apache motorcycle—along with a spent shell casing and a smartphone. The scooter and the motorcycle have also been seized. The police have identified the three liquor smugglers who remain at large. They include Nilesh Kumar Ojha alias "RDX," Shivendra Prasad, and Rajesh Sah—all residents of Sahjauli village. Nilesh Kumar Ojha alias "RDX" is accused of attacking the PTC with a "fighter" (knuckle duster) and an iron ring, as well as opening fire on the SHO. In connection with this incident, an FIR (First Information Report) has been registered against all four smugglers based on the statement provided by SHO Kanhaiya Kumar.

According to reports, on Saturday evening, the SHO received intelligence that four smugglers—traveling on a scooter and an Apache motorcycle—were planning to transport a consignment of English liquor toward Sarna village via the Mahuar bridge. Acting on this information, a police team led by SHO Kanhaiya Kumar—and comprising ASI Rameshwar Mandal and PTC Anshu Patel—set out to conduct a raid and apprehend the smugglers. Near Dalan Chhapra village, the police spotted four individuals approaching on a scooter and an Apache motorcycle. When the police signaled them to stop, all four abandoned their vehicles and attempted to flee on foot.

As the police cordoned off the area and attempted to capture them, the four individuals physically confronted the officers. During the ensuing scuffle, one of the smugglers attacked PTC Anshu Patel using a "fighter" and an iron ring, causing him to lose consciousness and collapse. Simultaneously, another smuggler opened fire, specifically targeting the SHO. The bullet whizzed past the Station House Officer. By then, the patrol team had arrived, and one smuggler was apprehended. However, three smugglers managed to escape. According to the police, during interrogation, the arrested smuggler revealed that all four had been involved in liquor smuggling for a considerable period, procuring liquor from UP and selling it locally. Acting on the information provided by the arrested individual, the police are currently working to apprehend the three absconding smugglers