Bihar encounter: Murder accused shot in leg during weapon-recovery op in Bakhtiyarpur
Synopsis
A murder accused allegedly shot at police during a weapon-recovery operation in Bakhtiyarpur, Patna, and was wounded in return fire. The troubling subplot — how he accessed a firearm while already in custody — now threatens to overshadow the original murder case of garage owner Anjani Kumar.
Key Takeaways
Saurabh Singh , accused in the murder of garage owner Anjani Nandan Kumar , was shot below the knee during a police encounter in Bakhtiyarpur on Sunday morning .
Singh allegedly retrieved a hidden firearm and opened fire on police during a weapon-recovery operation at Kalyan Bigha Mor .
One bullet reportedly struck a police vehicle; no officer was injured, according to police.
Singh was treated at Bakhtiyarpur Primary Health Centre and referred to NMCH, Patna for advanced care.
The operation involved personnel from the STF , SDPO-2 , and Bakhtiyarpur police .
Authorities are investigating how the accused accessed the weapon while already in police custody.
The prime accused in the murder of Patna garage owner Anjani Kumar was injured in a police encounter in Bakhtiyarpur, Patna district, on Sunday morning, 26 October 2025, during a weapon-recovery operation. Saurabh Singh, who allegedly shot the garage owner in the Ramkrishna Nagar area, was hit below the knee in an exchange of fire with a joint police team and subsequently taken into custody.
How the Encounter Unfolded
According to police, Singh had been arrested a day earlier by the Ramkrishna Nagar police station. On Sunday morning, officers escorted him to the Kalyan Bigha Mor area in Bakhtiyarpur to recover a concealed firearm and identify where it had allegedly been hidden.
During the operation, the accused allegedly retrieved the weapon and opened fire on the police team. One bullet reportedly struck a police vehicle near the headlight area below the bonnet. Officers returned fire in self-defence, hitting Singh below the knee, according to police.
Medical Treatment and Custody
Singh first received first aid at the Bakhtiyarpur Primary Health Centre before being referred to NMCH (Nalanda Medical College and Hospital) in Patna for advanced treatment. He remains in police custody throughout his hospitalisation.
Who Led the Operation
The operation involved personnel from the Special Task Force (STF), SDPO-2, and the Bakhtiyarpur police. SDPO Ayush Srivastava confirmed that Singh allegedly fired on the team while being taken to recover the weapon, forcing officers to retaliate. Authorities are now probing how the accused was able to access the firearm while in police custody — a procedural question that will likely draw scrutiny.
Background: The Murder of Anjani Kumar
The case traces back to 26 September, when Anjani Nandan Kumar, the owner of Nandan Automobiles in the Bhupatipur area of Ramkrishna Nagar, Patna, was ambushed and shot multiple times by armed assailants as he closed his garage for the evening. Kumar succumbed to his injuries during treatment. The killing, which bore the hallmarks of a contract hit, triggered a murder case against Singh and others.
Investigation Continues
Police said both the underlying murder case and the circumstances of Sunday's encounter are under active investigation. The probe into how the accused accessed a weapon while in custody adds a significant procedural dimension to an already high-profile case. The outcome of that inquiry is expected to determine whether any departmental action follows.
Point of View
Police respond in self-defence — is procedurally familiar in Bihar, but the key question this case raises is different: how did a murder suspect in police custody access a concealed firearm during a recovery operation? That procedural lapse, if confirmed, points to a custody and evidence-handling failure that deserves as much scrutiny as the encounter itself. Bihar's STF has a credible record in organised crime cases, but accountability for what happens between arrest and court is equally important to the rule of law. The investigation into the custody lapse, not the encounter, is the story to watch.
NationPress
25 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Saurabh Singh and what is he accused of?
Saurabh Singh is the prime accused in the murder of Anjani Nandan Kumar, owner of Nandan Automobiles in Ramkrishna Nagar, Patna. Kumar was ambushed and shot by armed assailants on 26 September as he closed his garage, and later died from his injuries.
What happened during the weapon-recovery operation in Bakhtiyarpur?
Police escorted Singh to Kalyan Bigha Mor in Bakhtiyarpur on Sunday morning to recover a hidden firearm. Singh allegedly retrieved the weapon and opened fire on the police team, prompting officers to retaliate and injure him below the knee.
Was any police officer injured in the encounter?
According to police, no officer was injured. One bullet reportedly struck a police vehicle near the headlight area, but the personnel involved escaped unhurt.
Where is Saurabh Singh being treated?
Singh was first given first aid at Bakhtiyarpur Primary Health Centre and later referred to NMCH (Nalanda Medical College and Hospital) in Patna for advanced treatment. He remains in police custody.
What is the key question under investigation now?
Authorities are probing how Singh was able to access the concealed firearm while already in police custody during the recovery operation. This procedural question could have departmental implications for the officers involved in his custody.
