Excise team fired upon near Patna's Paliganj after liquor raid, probe launched
Synopsis
An Excise Department team returning with five arrested liquor suspects was allegedly fired upon near Patna's Paliganj — a bullet reportedly passed clean through their Scorpio. With no injuries but a live investigation open, the incident puts a sharp spotlight on the dangers Bihar's prohibition enforcers face on the ground.
Key Takeaways
An Excise Department team was allegedly attacked near Akhtiyarpur Bridge , Paliganj , Patna , late on Tuesday night .
The team had arrested five individuals in the Maharajganj Musahari area for alleged illegal liquor trade before the attack occurred.
A bullet allegedly struck the Scorpio , passing through the right-side door window and exiting from the left-side door, according to the Excise Department.
Home Guard jawan Prince Kumar Mishra and other excise personnel were in the vehicle; no injuries were reported.
Bihar Police are examining all angles, including whether the damage was caused by gunfire or stone-pelting; a formal conclusion is yet to be reached.
A joint investigation by police and excise authorities is underway; legal action will follow once a formal complaint is received.
An Excise Department team was allegedly attacked near Akhtiyarpur Bridge under the Paliganj police station area in Patna district late on Tuesday night while returning from an anti-liquor operation, in what officials suspect was an attempt by illegal liquor traders to free arrested suspects. All occupants of the vehicle escaped without injury.
What Happened
The team had conducted a raid in the Maharajganj Musahari area, arresting five individuals in connection with the alleged illegal liquor trade. The personnel were travelling back to the Excise police station in a Scorpio when unidentified persons allegedly attacked the vehicle near Akhtiyarpur Bridge.
According to the Excise Department, a bullet struck the Scorpio, shattering the window of the right-side door before passing through and exiting from the left-side door. Among those inside the vehicle were Home Guard jawan Prince Kumar Mishra, other excise personnel, and the five arrested individuals. Officials attributed the safe outcome in part to the driver's prompt response.
Investigation Under Way
The Bihar Police launched an investigation after local officers reached the scene. Investigators are questioning residents, collecting technical and forensic evidence, and examining whether the damage resulted from actual gunfire or another form of attack, such as stone-pelting. The exact sequence of events and the method used have not yet been conclusively established.
Police stated they are examining all possible angles and have not reached a final conclusion regarding the nature of the incident. The Station House Officer of Paliganj said appropriate legal action will be taken once a formal complaint is received and the investigation clarifies the facts.
Excise Department's Allegation
Excise officials have alleged that the attack was carried out by persons associated with the illegal liquor trade in a bid to free the five arrested suspects. The department has expressed serious concern over the incident. A joint investigation involving both the police and excise authorities is currently underway.
Broader Context
The attack comes amid Bihar's ongoing enforcement drive under its total liquor prohibition law, which has been in force since 2016. Raids against illegal liquor networks have intensified in recent months, and this incident underscores the dangers enforcement teams face in the field. Attacks on government vehicles during prohibition enforcement operations, while not common, have been reported previously in the state.
Point of View
Sometimes violent, resistance. What is notable here is the investigative caution: police have not confirmed gunfire, leaving open the possibility of staged evidence or stone-pelting. That ambiguity matters, because how this is classified will determine the seriousness of charges. Bihar's liquor ban has been politically contentious since 2016, and every high-profile enforcement episode — whether a success or an attack on officials — feeds into that ongoing debate. The government's response to this incident, and whether it accelerates protection for excise teams, will be worth watching.
NationPress
1 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the Excise Department team near Paliganj in Patna?
An Excise Department team was allegedly attacked near Akhtiyarpur Bridge under the Paliganj police station area in Patna late on Tuesday night while returning from a raid against illegal liquor trade. A bullet reportedly struck their Scorpio vehicle, though no injuries were reported among the personnel or the five arrested individuals on board.
Who was in the vehicle at the time of the attack?
The Scorpio carried Home Guard jawan Prince Kumar Mishra, other excise personnel, and five individuals arrested during the raid in Maharajganj Musahari for alleged illegal liquor trade.
Has anyone been arrested for the attack on the excise team?
As of the latest reports, no arrests have been made in connection with the attack. Bihar Police have launched an investigation and are questioning local residents while collecting forensic and technical evidence.
Did police confirm that the vehicle was fired upon?
Police have not yet confirmed gunfire. Investigators are examining whether the damage to the Scorpio resulted from actual gunfire or another form of attack such as stone-pelting. A final conclusion has not been reached.
Why do excise officials believe the attack was linked to the liquor trade?
Excise officials have alleged that persons associated with the illegal liquor trade carried out the attack in an attempt to free the five suspects who had just been arrested. However, police say they are examining all possible angles and have not endorsed this conclusion officially.
