Birbhum firing: Three shot in Nalhati, two critical after bike-borne attack
Synopsis
Masked attackers on three motorcycles opened fire without provocation on three men sitting by a roadside in Birbhum's Haridaspur village. Two of the three victims are critical, 10 shell casings have been recovered, and no arrests have been made — in a district with a long record of political violence.
Key Takeaways
Three residents — Biki Sheikh , Habibul Sheikh , and Johnny Sheikh — were shot in Haridaspur village , Birbhum, on Sunday night .
Attackers arrived on three motorcycles with faces covered and fired indiscriminately before fleeing.
Biki Sheikh and Johnny Sheikh are in critical condition and have been shifted to a hospital in Durgapur .
Police recovered 10 shell casings and one cartridge from the scene on Monday.
A case has been registered against unidentified miscreants; no arrests have been made so far.
Locals have alleged long-running anti-social activity in the area; police have not confirmed any motive.
Three residents of Haridaspur village in Birbhum district, West Bengal, were shot by bike-borne assailants on Sunday night, with two of the victims in critical condition, police confirmed on Monday, 3 August. The unprovoked attack, which took place near Nalhati Police Station limits, has triggered panic among locals and prompted a police investigation.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to police, the three victims — Biki Sheikh, Habibul Sheikh, and Johnny Sheikh — were seated on a bamboo platform by the roadside near Haridaspur village when several individuals arrived on three motorcycles. The attackers had their faces covered with cloth. Without any apparent provocation, they opened fire indiscriminately before fleeing the scene. Hearing the gunshots, villagers rushed out and transported the injured to hospital.
Condition of the Victims
All three were initially admitted to Rampurhat Government Medical College in Birbhum. Subsequently, Biki Sheikh and Johnny Sheikh were transferred to a hospital in Durgapur, West Burdwan district, owing to the severity of their injuries. The condition of both remains critical, according to police.
Evidence Recovered, Investigation Launched
Officers from Nalhati Police Station recovered 10 shell casings and one cartridge from the site on Monday. A case has been registered against unidentified miscreants. A senior officer of Birbhum district police confirmed: 'Three people sustained bullet injuries and were rushed to hospital. Two of them have been shifted to Durgapur as their condition is critical. A case has been registered against unidentified miscreants. Investigation is on.'
Local Allegations and Communal Tension
Residents have alleged that anti-social activities have persisted in the area for an extended period, with some locals specifically citing the tenure of the previous All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) government. The motive behind the attack remains unestablished, and police have not confirmed any political angle. The incident has created widespread unease in the village and surrounding areas.
What Happens Next
Investigators are working to identify the perpetrators and establish a motive. The recovery of shell casings is expected to aid forensic analysis. Authorities have not yet made any arrests. The condition of the two critically injured victims will be closely monitored as the probe continues.
Point of View
And while police have not established a motive here, the pattern — masked bike-borne shooters, an unprovoked attack on civilians, no immediate arrests — fits a template seen in the district before. The recovery of 10 shell casings points to a coordinated, premeditated act rather than a spontaneous altercation. What is missing is accountability: if locals have been raising concerns about anti-social activity for years, the question is why preventive policing failed. The investigation's credibility will hinge on whether arrests follow evidence or whether this case joins the district's long list of unresolved incidents.
NationPress
3 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Birbhum Nalhati firing incident?
Three residents of Haridaspur village in Birbhum district were shot by masked, bike-borne assailants on Sunday night while sitting on a roadside bamboo platform. The attackers fired without provocation and fled; two of the three victims are in critical condition.
Who are the victims of the Nalhati shooting?
The three victims are Biki Sheikh, Habibul Sheikh, and Johnny Sheikh, all residents of Haridaspur village under Nalhati Police Station limits. Biki and Johnny are critically injured and have been transferred to a hospital in Durgapur, West Burdwan district.
What evidence has police recovered from the Birbhum firing scene?
Officers from Nalhati Police Station recovered 10 shell casings and one cartridge from the site on Monday. A case has been registered against unidentified miscreants and an investigation is underway to identify the attackers and establish a motive.
Have any arrests been made in the Birbhum shooting case?
As of Monday, 3 August, no arrests have been made. Police have registered a case against unidentified persons and say the investigation is ongoing.
What is the motive behind the Nalhati attack?
The motive has not been established by police. Locals have alleged that anti-social activities have persisted in the area for a long time, but authorities have not confirmed any political or personal motive behind the attack.
