Two Sisters Injured in Police-Thief Crossfire During Truck Theft in Siwan
Two teenage sisters suffered bullet wounds in their legs during a dramatic police encounter with suspected thieves in Siwan district early Friday morning. The incident unfolded at Khodipakad village under the Bhagwanpur Haat police station area.
Early Morning Theft Attempt Turns Violent
The sisters, identified as Anju Kumari, 18, and Neetu Kumari, 16, daughters of Vakil Pandit, were standing at the door of their house when they were struck by bullets. Their brother, Shiva Kumar, described the chaotic scene. He noticed a truck parked on the roadside near their home around 2am.
"I saw some people tampering with the vehicle from my window," Shiva Kumar recalled. "They were removing the truck's wheel. I immediately called a nearby shopkeeper, who then alerted the police."
Police responded promptly to the theft report. However, the situation escalated rapidly when the thieves opened fire upon seeing the police vehicle arrive.
Police Response and Arrests
Siwan Superintendent of Police Puran Kumar Jha provided details about the operation. "Our Dial 112 team reached the spot after receiving information about the tyre theft," SP Jha stated. "Villagers were already trying to prevent the theft. The thieves started fleeing while firing at police when they saw our vehicle. In response, police fired two rounds."
Police chased the suspects and managed to arrest two out of three thieves. One accomplice escaped during the confrontation. The arrested individuals were identified as Ashish from Uttar Pradesh and Ibrahim from Gopalganj.
Authorities recovered significant evidence from the scene and the arrested men. This included one country-made pistol, one local pistol (katta), five empty shells, two live cartridges, and a jack used in the theft attempt.
Medical Treatment and Investigation
After being shot, the injured sisters received immediate assistance from local residents. They were first taken to a community health centre for initial treatment. Medical staff later referred them to Sadar Hospital for more comprehensive care.
Hospital authorities confirmed both sisters are currently in stable condition. They continue to receive treatment for their leg injuries sustained during the crossfire.
Police investigations revealed that both arrested suspects have previous theft cases registered against them at various police stations in Uttar Pradesh. The search continues for the third thief who managed to escape during the encounter.
The incident has raised concerns about public safety during police operations in residential areas. Local authorities have assured thorough investigation into the circumstances that led to the sisters' injuries.
