A fresh angle has emerged in the police-criminal shootout in Patna's Masaurhi police station area. Initially it was believed that only two policemen were hurt in the gunfight, but as the investigation progressed it came to light that a notorious criminal named Mohammad Haider had also been seriously wounded in the police return fire. He later died while undergoing treatment at a hospital.
A Trap Built Around a Mobile Phone Deal
At the heart of the case was a carefully planned con. The criminals posted an advertisement to sell a mobile phone on OLX, made contact with a young man and called him over on the pretext of a purchase. The moment he reached the spot, armed assailants overpowered him, kidnapped him at gunpoint and began looting him.
A Tip-Off and a Swift Cordon
Patna's City Superintendent of Police (East), Parichay Kumar, confirmed the sensational incident and laid out the sequence of events. According to him, on the night of June 12 the Masaurhi police received information that 5 to 6 criminals were holding a young man hostage in a field near Manichak village and beating him mercilessly. The matter clearly involved abduction and a grave threat to the youth's life, so the police acted without delay. A team in plain clothes rushed to the spot and immediately cordoned off the area.
The Criminals Opened Fire First
The moment they spotted the police, the criminals opened indiscriminate fire. Faced with the situation, the police retaliated with lawful return fire in self-defence. During the exchange, Masaurhi's Additional Station House Officer Rahul Kumar and ASI Sanjay Kumar were hit by bullets and seriously injured. Both wounded officers were rushed to Patna AIIMS, where they are being treated and are currently said to be out of danger.
Hostage Rescued Safely
Amid the gunfire, the police team pulled the captive youth out of the spot unharmed. During questioning, it was the victim himself who revealed that he had been lured on OLX with the offer of buying a mobile phone, and that as soon as he arrived he was abducted at gunpoint and robbed.
Wounded Haider Whisked Away, Dies During Treatment
The investigation then turned up the fact that the notorious Mohammad Haider had also been badly wounded in the return fire, and that his associates had carried him away from the scene. The injured Haider was first taken to the Punpun Primary Health Centre, then to PMCH, and after that admitted to Paras Hospital in Rajabazar, where he died during treatment. It is reported that Haider had walked out of jail in a murder case just three months ago.
Hunt for Absconding Criminals Continues
The police are now carrying out continuous raids to arrest the remaining members of the gang who are still on the run. Meanwhile, an FSL team reached the scene and collected scientific evidence to build a solid case.
