Wanted criminal shot in Bihar STF encounter in Khagaria's Beldaur
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A joint operation by the Bihar Special Task Force (STF) and Khagaria Police resulted in an encounter with a wanted criminal in the early hours of Tuesday, 26 May at Sukhay Basa village under Beldaur police station limits, according to officials. The suspect, identified as Mohammad Buddin, sustained injuries during an exchange of fire and was subsequently taken to Khagaria Sadar Hospital for treatment under heavy police guard.
How the Operation Unfolded
The encounter took place at approximately 2 am when a combined STF and district police team was conducting cordon-and-search raids based on specific intelligence inputs that Buddin was hiding in the Beldaur area. The team came face-to-face with the accused during the operation, triggering an exchange of gunfire, officials said.
Following the encounter, several senior district officials arrived at the scene, including the Superintendent of Police, SDPOs from Sadar and Gogri subdivisions, inspectors, and a team from the Forensic Science Laboratory.
Criminal Background of the Accused
According to police, more than 15 criminal cases — including charges of murder, robbery, extortion, and arms-related offences — are registered against Mohammad Buddin across multiple police stations, including Beldaur and Pasraha. Authorities said he had long been on the police radar and had evaded arrest on several previous occasions.
Officials also revealed that Buddin had earlier carried a bounty of ₹50,000 owing to his alleged involvement in serious criminal activities across the region. His network reportedly remained active in parts of Khagaria for a considerable period, posing a persistent challenge to law enforcement.
Search for Accomplices Underway
In the aftermath of the encounter, police launched an extensive search operation in surrounding areas to trace Buddin's suspected associates. Raids are currently underway at multiple hideouts, while investigators are working to establish how many accomplices were present during the operation and the direction in which they fled.
Security has been significantly tightened at Khagaria Sadar Hospital, with additional police personnel deployed both inside and around the premises where the injured accused is receiving treatment.
Significance of the Operation
This encounter is part of a broader STF-led crackdown on organised crime networks operating across Bihar's Khagaria district. Notably, the STF's use of targeted intelligence-based raids has intensified in recent months as authorities attempt to dismantle criminal gangs that have long exploited the region's terrain and limited police reach. The operation underscores the continued challenge of apprehending hardened offenders with extensive criminal histories who have repeatedly slipped through the net.