Patna, July 11 (IANS) The prime accused in the July 5 double murder near Baliya village under the Amarpur police station area of Bihar’s Banka district was injured in a police encounter on Saturday morning after allegedly opening fire on a police team during a weapon recovery operation.

According to police, Sachin Kumar Singh, who was recently arrested in Ranchi in Jharkhand, allegedly attacked the police while leading investigators to the firearm used in the killings.

Four police personnel were also injured in the exchange of fire.

Banka Police had apprehended Sachin Kumar Singh, identified as the main accused in the murder of Gunjan Singh and Seetu Singh, from Ranchi on transit remand based on technical inputs.

During interrogation, police said the accused disclosed that he had hidden the weapon used in the crime in a forested area near Baliya village.

Police said that early on Saturday, a team escorted the accused to the forest to recover the concealed weapon.

According to the police, Sachin suddenly broke away from the escorting officers, retrieved a pistol allegedly hidden in nearby bushes, and began firing at the police team.

The incident resulted in injuries to Mainma OP In-charge Ayans Ranjan, Sub-Inspector Mukesh Kumar of Amarpur Police Station, and two other police personnel.

Police said the injuries were caused by bullets and bullet fragments during the exchange.

Police stated that the team retaliated in self-defence after coming under fire.

During the exchange, Sachin Kumar Singh sustained a bullet injury to his leg and was overpowered by the police.

He was initially taken to Sadar Hospital, Banka, before being referred to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College Hospital (Mayaganj), Bhagalpur, for advanced treatment.

The case relates to the killing of Gunjan Singh and Seetu Singh, who were shot dead in broad daylight near Baliya village on July 5.

The incident had triggered widespread concern over law and order in Bihar.

Following Saturday’s encounter, teams from the Special Task Force (STF) and the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) visited the scene to collect spent cartridges and other forensic evidence.

Police had earlier arrested another accused, Sonam Singh alias Som Singh, from the Teghra police station area of Begusarai district. He has since been sent to judicial custody.

Confirming the incident, Banka Superintendent of Police Amitesh Kumar said, “Our team had arrested Sachin Kumar Singh—the main shooter in the double murder case—from Ranchi based on technical inputs. While the weapon was being recovered, he attempted to escape police custody and opened lethal fire on the police team using a concealed weapon.

“Exercising the right to self-defense, the police returned fire, resulting in the accused sustaining a gunshot wound to his leg. Two of our police officers and two constables were also injured in the incident and are undergoing treatment. Further legal proceedings are underway.”

–IANS

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