Patna Police nab four in encounter, mastermind shot in leg

Patna: Patna Police arrested four accused during an encounter in the Gopalpur police station area on Tuesday morning, with the alleged mastermind sustaining a bullet injury to his leg, officials said. The operation, part of the campaign known as ‘Operation Langda’, was carried out in Udayini village along the Patna-Masaurhi road. According to Patna’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikeya Sharma, one accused -- identified as Nitish Kumar, the alleged mastermind -- was shot in the leg during the exchange of fire, while three others were arrested from the spot. The injured accused has been admitted to Nalanda Medical College Hospital (NMCH) for treatment. Kartikey Sharma stated that the operation was launched based on specific intelligence inputs. “Using technical analysis, CCTV footage, and sustained investigation, we identified the criminals involved. Continuous raids were being conducted, and some arrests had already been made prior to this operation,” he said. Police said that upon reaching Udayini village, the team was fired upon by the suspects. In retaliation, the police opened fire, during which one of the accused sustained a bullet injury to the leg. Meanwhile, four other accused were apprehended while attempting to flee. From the encounter site, police recovered a motorcycle used by the criminals along with spent cartridges. All arrested individuals are currently being interrogated. The operation is linked to a Rs 27 lakh robbery that took place on May 13 in the Gopalpur police station area. In that incident, bike-borne criminals intercepted a cash van belonging to the CMS company on the Patna-Masaurhi road around 3.30 p.m. The accused, armed with weapons, forced the vehicle to stop, held the driver and security guard hostage, and fled with the cash. Following the robbery, police had formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) and intensified raids to track down those involved. Tuesday’s operation marks a significant breakthrough in the case. Authorities have indicated that further arrests could be made, and more revelations are likely as the investigation progresses.