Banka double murder accused shot in encounter during weapon recovery, 4 cops hurt
Synopsis
The main accused in Bihar's Banka double murder — who had been arrested from Ranchi just days earlier — allegedly broke free during a weapon recovery operation, retrieved a hidden pistol from bushes, and opened fire on police. Four officers were wounded before the accused was shot in the leg and overpowered, in one of the more dramatic post-arrest developments in Bihar's recent crime cases.
Key Takeaways
Sachin Kumar Singh , prime accused in the 5 July Banka double murder, was shot in the leg during a police encounter on Saturday, 12 July .
The encounter occurred near Baliya village, Banka district , during a weapon recovery operation in a forested area.
Sachin allegedly broke free from police custody, retrieved a concealed pistol from nearby bushes, and fired at the escorting team.
Four police personnel were injured, including Mainma OP In-charge Ayans Ranjan and Sub-Inspector Mukesh Kumar .
Sachin was referred to JNMCH Bhagalpur for advanced treatment after initial care at Sadar Hospital, Banka .
STF and FSL teams visited the scene to collect forensic evidence, including spent cartridges.
The prime accused in the Banka double murder case was shot and injured during a police encounter on Saturday morning, 12 July, after allegedly opening fire on a police team escorting him for a weapon recovery operation near Baliya village in Bihar's Banka district. Four police personnel were also wounded in the exchange of fire.
How the Encounter Unfolded
Sachin Kumar Singh, identified as the main accused in the killing of Gunjan Singh and Seetu Singh on 5 July, had been arrested from Ranchi, Jharkhand, on transit remand following technical intelligence inputs gathered by Banka Police. During interrogation, he allegedly disclosed that the firearm used in the double murder was concealed in a forested area near Baliya village.
Early on Saturday, a police team escorted Sachin to the forest to recover the hidden weapon. According to police, he suddenly broke free from the escorting officers, retrieved a pistol allegedly stashed in nearby bushes, and opened fire on the team.
Injuries on Both Sides
The gunfire injured Mainma OP In-charge Ayans Ranjan, Sub-Inspector Mukesh Kumar of Amarpur Police Station, and two other police personnel. Police stated that injuries were caused by bullets and bullet fragments. The team retaliated in self-defence, and Sachin sustained a bullet wound to his leg before being overpowered.
He was first taken to Sadar Hospital, Banka, and subsequently referred to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital (Mayaganj), Bhagalpur, for advanced treatment.
The Original Crime
The case stems from the 5 July daylight shooting of Gunjan Singh and Seetu Singh near Baliya village under the Amarpur police station jurisdiction. The killings had triggered widespread concern over law and order in Bihar. A second accused, Sonam Singh alias Som Singh, had earlier been arrested from the Teghra police station area of Begusarai district and has since been sent to judicial custody.
What the Police Said
Banka Superintendent of Police Amitesh Kumar confirmed the incident, stating: 'Our team had arrested Sachin Kumar Singh — the main shooter in the double murder case — from Ranchi based on technical inputs. While the weapon was being recovered, he attempted to escape police custody and opened lethal fire on the police team using a concealed weapon. Exercising the right to self-defence, the police returned fire, resulting in the accused sustaining a gunshot wound to his leg. Two of our police officers and two constables were also injured in the incident and are undergoing treatment. Further legal proceedings are underway.'
Forensic Teams at the Scene
Following the encounter, teams from the Special Task Force (STF) and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) visited the site to collect spent cartridges and other forensic evidence. The investigation is ongoing, with legal proceedings against Sachin Kumar Singh now set to proceed alongside his medical treatment.
Point of View
Even when individual incidents may be legitimate. The Banka case has all the hallmarks of a genuine operational crisis: a brazen daylight double murder, an arrest across state lines, and now a dramatic forest confrontation. But the presence of STF and FSL teams at the scene suggests authorities are aware that forensic accountability matters. The real question is whether the judicial process — already underway for co-accused Sonam Singh — will proceed with the same rigour now that the main accused is hospitalised. Bihar's law-and-order record ahead of state elections will be under close scrutiny, and how this case is handled will be watched as a signal of institutional seriousness.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sachin Kumar Singh and what is he accused of?
Sachin Kumar Singh is identified by police as the main accused in the double murder of Gunjan Singh and Seetu Singh, who were shot dead in broad daylight near Baliya village in Banka district, Bihar, on 5 July. He was arrested from Ranchi, Jharkhand, on transit remand before the encounter.
What happened during the weapon recovery operation on 12 July?
Police escorted Sachin Kumar Singh to a forested area near Baliya village to recover the firearm used in the murders. According to police, he broke free from officers, retrieved a pistol hidden in bushes, and opened fire on the team. Police retaliated in self-defence, injuring him in the leg.
How many police personnel were hurt in the Banka encounter?
Four police personnel were injured — Mainma OP In-charge Ayans Ranjan, Sub-Inspector Mukesh Kumar of Amarpur Police Station, and two other personnel. All sustained injuries from bullets or bullet fragments and are undergoing treatment.
Where is Sachin Kumar Singh being treated?
He was initially taken to Sadar Hospital in Banka after sustaining a bullet wound to his leg. He was subsequently referred to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital (Mayaganj) in Bhagalpur for advanced medical care.
Have any other accused been arrested in the Banka double murder case?
Yes. A second accused, Sonam Singh alias Som Singh, was arrested from the Teghra police station area of Begusarai district before the encounter. He has since been sent to judicial custody, and legal proceedings against him are ongoing.
