Jharkhand youth shot dead near Karso Bridge while heading to Kedarnath
Synopsis
A Jharkhand youth was gunned down near Karso Bridge in Hazaribagh while on his way to the Kedarnath pilgrimage — shot in the neck by two unidentified men on a motorcycle who opened fire without provocation and fled. The motive remains unknown, and no arrests have been made, raising sharp questions about pilgrim safety in the region.
Key Takeaways
Vicky Soni , a resident of Okni, Hazaribagh , was shot dead on 9 June while travelling to the Kedarnath pilgrimage .
The attack occurred near Karso Bridge under Barhi police station limits in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh district .
Two unidentified youths arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire without any provocation, striking Soni in the neck.
His companion Abhishek Kumar Upadhyay was unhurt and is the primary witness; he has given his account to police.
Police are scanning CCTV footage , examining angles of personal enmity and criminal rivalry; no arrests made so far.
The body has been sent for post-mortem to Sub-Divisional Hospital, Barhi ; motive remains unknown.
A youth identified as Vicky Soni, a resident of Okni in Hazaribagh town, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh district on Tuesday, 9 June, while he was on his way to undertake the Kedarnath pilgrimage, according to officials. The attack occurred near Karso Bridge under the limits of Barhi police station.
How the Attack Unfolded
Vicky Soni was travelling with his friend Abhishek Kumar Upadhyay in a car headed to Koderma railway station, from where the two planned to board a train for Kedarnath. The journey was cut short when one of the car's tyres got punctured near Karso Bridge, forcing them to pull over by the roadside.
According to police, Upadhyay told investigators that while the two were changing the tyre, two unidentified youths arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire on Soni without any conversation or provocation. A bullet struck Soni in the neck, leaving him critically injured. He collapsed on the road. The attackers fled the scene immediately after the shooting.
Local Response and Hospital
Residents in the vicinity rushed to the spot after hearing the gunshots and attempted to rush the injured man to a hospital. However, Vicky Soni had already succumbed to his injuries by the time help arrived. His body has been sent for post-mortem to the Sub-Divisional Hospital in Barhi.
Investigation Under Way
Barhi police station in-charge Vinod Kumar reached the scene with a team shortly after receiving information and launched a formal investigation. Police have collected evidence from the site and are scanning CCTV footage from nearby areas to identify the perpetrators.
According to Vinod Kumar, all possible angles — including personal enmity and criminal rivalry — are being examined. Raids are reportedly under way to apprehend the accused. The motive behind the killing remains unknown as of now.
Key Details at a Glance
The assailants remain unidentified. No arrests have been made. The unprovoked nature of the attack — on a pilgrim en route to one of Hinduism's holiest shrines — has drawn attention to law and order concerns in the region. This comes amid broader discussions around the safety of pilgrims travelling through Jharkhand ahead of the peak Char Dham yatra season.
Point of View
And the brazenness of this attack — two men on a motorcycle, no exchange of words, immediate flight — fits a profile associated with contract-style violence. The fact that the motive remains entirely unknown days after the incident points to either a deeply personal grievance or a case of mistaken identity, both of which raise uncomfortable questions. With the Char Dham yatra season at its peak, the optics of a pilgrim being gunned down on his way to one of Hinduism's holiest shrines will not be lost on state authorities.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Vicky Soni and where was he from?
Vicky Soni was a young resident of Okni in Hazaribagh town, Jharkhand. He was on his way to undertake the Kedarnath pilgrimage when he was shot dead on 9 June near Karso Bridge.
How did the shooting take place?
According to police, Soni and his friend Abhishek Kumar Upadhyay had stopped to change a punctured tyre near Karso Bridge when two unidentified youths arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire without any conversation or provocation. Soni was struck in the neck and collapsed on the road.
Have the attackers been identified or arrested?
No. As of the latest reports, the assailants remain unidentified and no arrests have been made. Barhi police station in-charge Vinod Kumar has said raids are under way and CCTV footage from the area is being examined.
What is the motive behind the killing?
The motive is not yet established. Police are reportedly examining all angles, including personal enmity and criminal rivalry. No specific lead has been confirmed publicly.
What is the current status of the investigation?
Barhi police have collected evidence from the scene, are scanning nearby CCTV cameras, and are conducting raids to trace the accused. The body of Vicky Soni has been sent for post-mortem to the Sub-Divisional Hospital in Barhi .
