Two shot dead in Bihar's Samastipur; 8-10 bike-borne gunmen flee
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Two men were shot dead in Namapur village under the Chakmehsi police station area of Samastipur district, Bihar, late on Tuesday night, after a group of 8–10 unidentified bike-borne assailants allegedly opened indiscriminate fire. The deceased have been identified as Prabhat Chaudhary, a resident of Nima Chakhaidar village, and Sunny Kumar, a resident of Belsandi village — both falling under the jurisdiction of the Chakmehsi police station.
How the Attack Unfolded
According to eyewitnesses, the two men were standing in a secluded part of Namapur village when the assailants, reportedly concealed nearby, emerged and opened fire. Both Prabhat Chaudhary and Sunny Kumar sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were declared dead at the scene. The attackers fled under the cover of darkness before residents, alerted by the sound of gunfire, could reach the spot.
Police arrived shortly after being informed, took possession of the bodies, and dispatched them for post-mortem examinations. No arrests have been made so far.
Family Alleges Conspiracy; Father Cites Past Attack
Sanjay Chaudhary, father of the deceased Prabhat Chaudhary, alleged that his son was deliberately lured out of the house through a phone call before the attack. “Prabhat was lured out by a phone call as part of a conspiracy. He had previously survived a life-threatening attack inside the court premises in 2023, in connection with which two police personnel were suspended. This time, he was shot dead,” he said.
According to the family, Prabhat had left home at around 7:00 pm and they assumed he had stepped out for routine work, only learning of his death later that night.
Criminal Background and Suspected Motive
Prabhat Chaudhary had previously faced several criminal cases, including those reportedly linked to alleged illegal liquor smuggling and violations of the Arms Act. Officials suspect the killings may be connected to a financial dispute within the illicit liquor trade or a rivalry for local dominance. However, police have not officially confirmed any motive, stating that all angles remain under investigation.
Notably, this is not the first time Prabhat has been targeted — the 2023 court-premises attack, which led to the suspension of two police personnel, points to a pattern of targeted violence around him.
Investigation Under Way
Investigators are examining CCTV footage from Namapur village and surrounding roads, alongside forensic and technical evidence, to identify and trace the assailants. Raids are likely to be conducted as the probe advances. The Chakmehsi police station is leading the investigation, and authorities have indicated that no angle — including a conspiracy involving a phone-call trap — is being ruled out.
As Bihar continues to grapple with crime linked to its prohibition regime, this double murder in Samastipur underscores the violent underbelly of the illicit liquor trade and the risks faced by those entangled in it.