Kharagpur schoolboy shot in chest; 5 arrested, 7 police teams formed
Synopsis
A schoolboy was shot in the chest in Kharagpur's Old Settlement area amid what police describe as a clash between two rival groups — but residents say they heard no gunfire. With five arrests, seven investigation teams, and CCTV trawls underway, the case carries echoes of past fatal shootings allegedly tied to the same factions.
Key Takeaways
Akshay Jha , a schoolboy and son of a Railway Health Department employee, was shot in the chest in Kharagpur, West Midnapore at around 11:30 am on 7 October 2026 .
He is undergoing treatment in Kolkata and is reported to be in a critical condition .
West Midnapore SP Papiya Sultana confirmed five arrests and the formation of seven police teams .
Basanti suspects the intended target was Sagar Kumar , a friend accompanying Akshay at the time.
Initial findings suggest the attack stems from a dispute between two rival groups operating in the area.
CCTV footage from across the area is being gathered and examined by investigators.
A schoolboy identified as Akshay Jha was shot in the chest while riding pillion on a motorcycle in Kharagpur, West Midnapore district, at around 11:30 am on Wednesday, 7 October 2026. Akshay is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Kolkata and is reported to be in a critical condition. Police have detained several suspects and formed seven teams to investigate the incident.
How the Incident Unfolded
According to local sources, Akshay Jha was seated on the pillion seat of a bike travelling through the railway area of Old Settlement, Ward No. 20, in Kharagpur when shots were allegedly fired at the moving vehicle. One bullet struck him on the left side of his chest. He was first rushed to a local hospital in serious condition before being transferred to Kolkata for advanced medical care.
The rider of the bike told investigators he was unaware of who fired the shots or why. Residents in the area claimed they did not hear any gunfire, adding to the confusion surrounding the sequence of events. Police, however, confirmed that a shooting had indeed taken place.
What Police Have Found So Far
West Midnapore Superintendent of Police Papiya Sultana confirmed that the area has two rival groups and that the shooting occurred in the context of a dispute between them. She said five people have already been arrested and seven police teams have been constituted to pursue the investigation. Footage from CCTV cameras across the area is being collected and analysed, Sultana added.
Personnel from Kharagpur Town Police Station are working to establish the motive behind the attack. Initial findings suggest the firing broke out during a clash between two groups, though investigators have not formally attributed the shooting to any individual or faction.
Who Was the Intended Target?
Local councillor D. Basanti said Akshay Jha is the son of an employee of the Railway Health Department. Basanti visited the railway hospital shortly after news of the shooting broke. He claimed that at the time of the incident, two individuals were riding a scooter without a number plate — allegedly the attackers.
Basanti further expressed the suspicion that the intended target may have been Sagar Kumar, son of Prasad and a friend of Akshay, who was accompanying him when the incident occurred. He also claimed that Prasad belonged to the Srinu Naidu group and that both Prasad and Srinu had died in separate shooting incidents in the past — suggesting the attack may be linked to a longer-running inter-group conflict in the area.
Background and Community Concern
The shooting has alarmed residents of Old Settlement, Ward No. 20, a locality in the railway township zone of Kharagpur. The claim that local residents heard no gunshots has raised questions about the weapon used and the precise timing of the attack. This is not the first episode of group violence allegedly connected to rival factions in the area, according to Basanti's account of past fatalities involving Prasad and Srinu Naidu.
As the investigation progresses, authorities are expected to piece together CCTV evidence and witness accounts to formally establish the motive and identify all those responsible. The condition of Akshay Jha remains critical, and further developments are awaited from the medical team treating him in Kolkata.
Point of View
Where rival factions have historically operated with relative impunity. The claim that residents heard no gunfire — while a bullet struck a minor in the chest — raises serious questions about witness intimidation or the use of silenced or unconventional weapons. Councillor Basanti's account, linking the incident to the deaths of Prasad and Srinu Naidu in past shooting incidents, suggests this is not a random act but part of a deeper, unresolved factional conflict. The speed of arrests is encouraging, but the durability of the case will depend on whether CCTV evidence and witness testimony can be secured without interference.
NationPress
7 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Akshay Jha and what happened to him in Kharagpur?
Akshay Jha is a schoolboy and the son of an employee of the Railway Health Department. He was shot in the left side of his chest while riding pillion on a motorcycle in Old Settlement, Ward No. 20, Kharagpur, at around 11:30 am on 7 October 2026, and is currently in a critical condition at a hospital in Kolkata.
Who was the alleged intended target of the Kharagpur shooting?
Local councillor D. Basanti has claimed the shooting may have been aimed at Sagar Kumar, son of Prasad, who was accompanying Akshay at the time. Basanti said Prasad was linked to the Srinu Naidu group and that both men had previously died in separate shooting incidents in the area.
How many people have been arrested in the Kharagpur schoolboy shooting case?
West Midnapore Superintendent of Police Papiya Sultana confirmed that five people have been arrested so far. Seven police teams have been formed to pursue the investigation further.
What is the motive behind the Kharagpur shooting?
Police say initial findings suggest the firing occurred during a dispute between two rival groups active in the area. However, no formal motive has been established yet, and investigators are analysing CCTV footage and questioning detained suspects.
Why is there confusion about the Kharagpur shooting?
Residents of Old Settlement have claimed they did not hear any gunfire at the time of the incident, even though a bullet struck Akshay Jha in the chest. The rider of the bike also said he did not know who fired the shots or why, leaving several questions about the exact sequence of events unanswered.
