A horrific violent incident unfolded early Thursday morning in the Ismailpur police station jurisdiction of Naugachia police district in Bhagalpur, Bihar. Unidentified armed assailants brutally murdered a couple who earned their living running a small tea and snack shop in the Hatiya area. The victims, identified as Ranjan and his wife Kiran Devi, were attacked while sleeping inside their commercial establishment. The double homicide has sparked widespread terror and intense anger throughout the locality. As news of the killings spread, a large crowd of residents gathered at the scene, launching vocal protests against local law enforcement.
Savage Attack on Sleeping Couple Inside Their Shop
According to available details, Ranjan and Kiran Devi routinely slept inside their shop after closing business for the night. In the early hours of Thursday, under the cover of darkness, armed criminals gained entry into the shop. Without warning, the intruders opened fire directly at the sleeping Ranjan, inflicting fatal gunshot wounds before he could react or seek help. The sudden sound of gunfire woke his wife, Kiran Devi, who discovered her husband lying in a pool of blood.
Chased Down and Shot Point-Blank in the Eye
Terrified for her life, Kiran Devi ran out of the shop toward the street while screaming for help. However, the attackers pursued her closely. After catching up to her a short distance away, the criminals exhibited extreme brutality by firing two shots directly into her eye at point-blank range. The severe head trauma caused her instant death at the spot. With both husband and wife killed on the scene, panic quickly enveloped the entire neighborhood.
Missing Two-and-a-Half-Year-Old Girl Heightens Local Fear
Compounding the tragedy is the ongoing disappearance of a two-and-a-half-year-old girl from the same extended family, which has further enraged the local community. The missing child, identified as Pallavi Kumari, is the daughter of deceased Ranjan's brother and has been missing for the past two days. Family members had formally reported her disappearance to the police station when she first went missing.
Locals allege that law enforcement agencies failed to take prompt or effective action to trace the child when the complaint was initially lodged. The lack of progress in finding the missing girl, combined with the double murder of two adult family members, has deeply alarmed the villagers. While residents suspect a connection between the two incidents, police officials state that investigation is ongoing to determine whether the child's disappearance and the dual murders are linked.
Police Investigation Underway Under ASP Saiyam Raza
Upon receiving news of the double murder, police teams from both Ismailpur and Gopalpur stations rushed to the spot. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Saiyam Raza also arrived at the crime scene with additional forces to personally inspect the location and manage the volatile situation. When officers attempted to take custody of the bodies for post-mortem examination, agitated villagers blocked their movement.
The protesting residents insisted that the bodies would not be removed until the perpetrators were identified and arrested, and the missing toddler, Pallavi Kumari, was safely recovered. ASP Saiyam Raza and other senior police officials held talks with the crowd, reassuring them that dedicated teams had been deployed to resolve both cases swiftly. Police activity and patrolling have been intensified across the Ismailpur and Gopalpur police jurisdictions as investigators work to identify the assailants, establish the motive, and locate the missing girl.
