Hazaribagh police bust opium network, 1 shot and 2 arrested in Chouparan
Synopsis
A targeted police raid near Hathiya Baba Temple in Hazaribagh's Chouparan area ended with one suspect shot in the abdomen and two others arrested. The recovery of country-made pistols, live ammunition, and opium points to an organised trafficking network — and investigators say more arrests may follow.
Key Takeaways
Hazaribagh police conducted an anti-narcotics operation near Hathiya Baba Temple , Chouparan , on 29 August .
Suspect Ajay Singh of Chapi village, Gaya district, Bihar was shot in the abdomen and referred to RIMS, Ranchi .
Two other suspects were arrested; their identities have not been disclosed.
Police seized two country-made pistols , live ammunition, spent cartridges, and a quantity of opium (exact amount undisclosed).
Operation was led by Officer-in-Charge Pankaj Kumar following a tip-off to the Superintendent of Police .
Investigators are probing the wider network for additional suspects involved in the illegal opium trade.
Hazaribagh police launched a targeted crackdown on an alleged opium trading network in the Chouparan area on Saturday, 29 August, resulting in one suspect being shot and injured and two others taken into custody. The operation near Hathiya Baba Temple also led to the seizure of country-made firearms and narcotics.
How the Operation Unfolded
According to police, the raid was triggered by a tip-off received by the Superintendent of Police indicating that a group of armed individuals was allegedly engaged in the buying and selling of opium in the vicinity of the temple. Chouparan police swiftly mobilised a team under the leadership of Officer-in-Charge Pankaj Kumar and descended on the site.
Police say that when the team arrived, panic spread among the suspects. Two individuals were apprehended on the spot, while a third allegedly fled toward the forest. According to police, the fleeing suspect opened fire at the team, prompting officers to retaliate in self-defence, injuring him in the abdomen.
Suspect Identified, Referred to RIMS Ranchi
The injured suspect was identified as Ajay Singh, a resident of Chapi village under Barachatti police station in Gaya district, Bihar. He was first taken to Barhi Community Health Centre for initial treatment. Given the seriousness of his injuries, doctors subsequently referred him to the Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi for advanced care.
The identities of the two other arrested suspects have not been made public as of this report.
Weapons and Narcotics Seized
The operation yielded a significant haul of evidence. Police recovered two country-made pistols, live ammunition, and spent cartridges from the scene. A quantity of opium was also confiscated, though officials have not yet disclosed the exact amount of the narcotic seized.
Investigation Continues
Officer-in-Charge Pankaj Kumar confirmed the operation and stated that legal proceedings are underway. Investigators are now probing the wider network, including the possible involvement of additional individuals in the illegal opium trade and associated criminal activities. This comes amid broader concerns over narcotics trafficking routes passing through Jharkhand's border districts.
Point of View
With opium networks often intertwined with armed criminal groups. The fact that suspects were carrying country-made firearms signals an organised, not opportunistic, trade. What the police have not yet disclosed — the exact quantity of opium seized and the identities of the two arrested suspects — will be crucial to determining whether this is a peripheral bust or a meaningful dent in a larger supply chain. Investigators will need to trace the Bihar connection through Ajay Singh to establish whether the network operates across state lines, which would demand a coordinated inter-state response.
NationPress
29 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Hazaribagh police operation on 29 August?
Hazaribagh police raided an alleged opium trading site near Hathiya Baba Temple in Chouparan, shooting one suspect and arresting two others. Country-made pistols, ammunition, and opium were recovered from the scene.
Who is Ajay Singh and what is his condition?
Ajay Singh is a resident of Chapi village under Barachatti police station in Gaya district, Bihar, and the suspect who was shot during the operation. He sustained an abdominal injury and was referred to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi after initial treatment at Barhi Community Health Centre.
What was seized during the Chouparan drug raid?
Police recovered two country-made pistols, live ammunition, spent cartridges, and a quantity of opium. Officials have not yet disclosed the exact amount of the narcotic confiscated.
Who led the Hazaribagh anti-narcotics operation?
The operation was led by Chouparan police station Officer-in-Charge Pankaj Kumar, acting on a tip-off received by the Superintendent of Police about armed individuals allegedly trading opium near the temple.
Are more arrests expected in the Hazaribagh opium case?
Police have confirmed that investigations into the wider network are ongoing and that the possible involvement of additional individuals is being examined. The identities of the two arrested suspects have not yet been made public.
