Kamal Ghorui
PATNA: Two sharpshooters, wanted in multiple murder cases, were shot in the legs during a police encounter and later arrested in the Bihta police station area of Patna on Wednesday morning.The accused were identified as Awadhesh Sao alias Videshiya and Pappu Rai. Both sustained bullet injuries during the operation near Anandpur village dam and were first taken to the Bihta community health centre before being shifted to AIIMS-Patna for further treatment.The operation was carried out jointly by Patna police and the Bihar Special Task Force (STF) following intelligence inputs that the duo, along with an associate, was planning a major crime in the Bihta area. Acting on the tip-off, police tracked and detained all three late Tuesday night. The third accused, Deepak Kumar of Gaurichak, was held along with Videshiya, a resident of Hajipur in Vaishali district, and Pappu, a Bihta resident.During interrogation, the accused revealed that they had concealed firearms and ammunition near a dam in the Bihta area. When a police team escorted them to the spot for recovery, Videshiya and Pappu allegedly took out the hidden weapons and opened fire on the officers, prompting retaliatory action. In the exchange of fire, both sustained injuries in their legs before surrendering.According to police, the accused fired three rounds, while the police team fired two in response. Two police personnel also suffered minor injuries during the encounter. Deepak initially attempted to flee but was soon apprehended. Police recovered two country-made firearms, empty cartridges and spent bullet shells from the spot.Senior superintendent of police (SSP) Kartikeya K Sharma, who visited the spot, said Videshiya has a long criminal history, with several cases related to murder and violations of the Arms Act registered against him. “The group was allegedly involved in the recent murder of land dealer Anjani Kumar Singh, 45, in the Gaurichak police station area, where they operated as contract killers.”
