In a dramatic early morning operation, Patna police shot and apprehended a notorious criminal following an exchange of gunfire in a village on Sunday. The incident unfolded in Dharampur village, located within the Athmalgola police station area of Barh sub-division.
Police Raid Turns into Gun Battle
Acting on specific intelligence, a police team cordoned off Dharampur village after learning that Prahlad Kumar, a wanted criminal, was hiding there. As officers closed in on his location, the cornered suspect opened fire in a desperate bid to escape. The police retaliated in self-defence, firing a single round that struck Prahlad in the leg. He was subsequently overpowered and taken into custody.
The injured accused was immediately transported to the Barh sub-divisional hospital under heavy security. After receiving initial medical care, he was referred to the Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for further and more advanced treatment.
Connection to a Previous Murder Case
Senior officials revealed that the arrest is directly linked to a murder that occurred just days earlier. Anand Kumar Singh, SDPO-I of Barh, stated that on January 3, a shooting in Jalgovind village under Barh police station led to the death of Dharmveer Paswan. The murder was reportedly the result of a long-standing personal feud, where the victim was allegedly being pressured to withdraw an old assault case.
"An FIR was registered, and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to probe the case. We swiftly arrested the named accused, Dheeraj Kumar, who was sent to judicial custody," Singh explained. "Our investigation then pointed to the involvement of another accused, Prahlad Kumar, who was one of five individuals named in the FIR."
Recovery and Criminal History
Following the encounter, police searched the scene and recovered crucial evidence. A country-made pistol and several cartridges were seized from the spot. Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) teams are now examining the firearm, while the investigation continues to uncover any other associates involved in the murder conspiracy.
Police records indicate that Prahlad Kumar is a habitual offender with a serious criminal past. He is currently facing two serious cases at Barh police station and one at Athmalgola police station. The charges against him include theft, robbery, and illegal arms dealings. A fresh case under the stringent Arms Act has also been registered following Sunday's incident.
The operation, conducted with support from the Special Task Force (STF), marks a significant breakthrough in the January 3 murder case. Police authorities have affirmed that the search for any remaining accomplices is actively underway.
