Jharkhand encounter: Rahul Dubey gang member shot, arrested in Hazaribagh forest
Synopsis
A 22-year-old alleged member of the Rahul Dubey gang was shot in the leg after he opened fire on a police SIT team in Hazaribagh's Karmatila forest — the same weapon he allegedly used in an October extortion attack on a mining company security guard. The arrest, combined with the seizure of a 7.62 mm pistol and gang pamphlets, marks a significant breakthrough in the crackdown on armed criminal networks targeting Jharkhand's mining belt.
Key Takeaways
Anshu Dubey , 22, an alleged member of the Rahul Dubey gang , was shot in the left leg and arrested in Karmatila forest , Hazaribagh , on 6 November 2026 .
He allegedly opened fire on a police SIT team during a weapon-recovery operation; police returned fire in self-defence.
Dubey is reportedly linked to a 26 October attack in which a security guard at Sainik Mining Company in Urimari was seriously injured following an alleged extortion dispute.
Police seized a 7.62 mm pistol , two live rounds, a spent cartridge, two gang pamphlets, and a mobile phone from the scene.
A Special Investigation Team led by Barkagaon SDPO Amit Anand is continuing its investigation; other gang members remain at large.
An alleged member of the Rahul Dubey gang, Anshu Dubey, was injured in a police encounter and arrested in the Karmatila forest under the jurisdiction of Urimari police station in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh district on 6 November 2026. The 22-year-old sustained a bullet wound to his left leg during the operation and was subsequently admitted to Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College Hospital for treatment.
How the Encounter Unfolded
Anshu Dubey, a resident of Dube Marathiya village in Garhwa district, had reportedly confessed to his involvement in a firing incident on 26 October, when unidentified assailants allegedly opened fire on a private security guard posted at the gate of Sainik Mining Company in Urimari. According to police, the attack came after an extortion demand was allegedly not met, and the guard sustained serious injuries. Pamphlets linked to the Rahul Dubey gang were recovered from that scene.
An FIR was registered at Barkagaon (Urimari) police station on 27 October against Rahul Dubey and unidentified associates. Hazaribagh Superintendent of Police Aman Kumar said a Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Barkagaon SDPO Amit Anand, was constituted to probe the case and apprehend those responsible.
What Triggered the Firing
Acting on Anshu Dubey's disclosure that the weapon used in the October 26 attack and additional gang pamphlets had been concealed in the Karmatila forest, the SIT escorted him to the location for recovery. During the search operation, he allegedly pushed police personnel and opened fire on the team using the hidden weapon. The officer-in-charge of the Urimari outpost fired back in self-defence, hitting Anshu in the left leg, according to police.
Weapons and Materials Seized
Police recovered a 7.62 mm pistol, two live rounds of the same calibre, a spent cartridge, two gang pamphlets, and a mobile phone from the forest location. The seizure adds to a growing body of evidence being compiled by the SIT against the Rahul Dubey gang's alleged extortion and armed intimidation network in the region.
Background and Broader Context
The Rahul Dubey gang has been linked to extortion activities targeting mining and industrial installations in Jharkhand, a state that has long grappled with organised criminal networks operating in its forested hinterland. This incident is part of a wider crackdown by district police on armed gangs that allegedly use pamphlet campaigns as intimidation tools. With the SIT investigation ongoing and other gang members still at large, further arrests are expected in the coming days.
Point of View
And the targeting of a mining company's security personnel suggests the gang was testing the limits of industrial vulnerability in the region. The fact that a confessed suspect allegedly opened fire on a police recovery team points to either desperation or a calculated gamble to destroy evidence. With other gang members still unaccounted for, the SIT's work is far from over — and the next arrest will reveal how deep the network runs.
NationPress
6 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Anshu Dubey and what is he accused of?
Anshu Dubey is a 22-year-old resident of Dube Marathiya village in Garhwa district, Jharkhand, who is an alleged active member of the Rahul Dubey gang. He is accused of participating in a 26 October firing attack on a security guard at Sainik Mining Company in Urimari, reportedly connected to an unsatisfied extortion demand.
What happened during the police encounter in Karmatila forest?
During a weapon-recovery operation, Anshu Dubey allegedly pushed police personnel and opened fire on a Special Investigation Team escorting him to the forest location. The officer-in-charge of the Urimari outpost fired back in self-defence, injuring Dubey in the left leg. He was subsequently arrested and hospitalised.
What weapons and materials were recovered at the scene?
Police recovered a 7.62 mm pistol, two live rounds of the same calibre, a spent cartridge, two pamphlets linked to the Rahul Dubey gang, and a mobile phone from the Karmatila forest location.
What is the Rahul Dubey gang and what are its alleged activities?
The Rahul Dubey gang is an alleged criminal organisation operating in Jharkhand's Hazaribagh region, reportedly involved in extortion targeting industrial and mining establishments. The gang has been linked to armed intimidation, including the use of printed pamphlets to assert territorial control.
What is the current status of the investigation?
A Special Investigation Team led by Barkagaon SDPO Amit Anand is continuing to investigate the case. An FIR was registered on 27 October against Rahul Dubey and unidentified associates. Other gang members remain at large, and further arrests are expected.
