Patna: A notorious liquor smuggler from Uttar Pradesh was arrested after being injured in a gunfight with police during an anti-smuggling operation in Bihar's Gopalganj district in the early hours of Tuesday.
The exchange of fire occurred near Banshi Batraha village under Sripur police station area after police received intelligence about a large consignment of illicit liquor arriving in the district.
The injured smuggler was identified as Kishan Yadav (23), a resident of Bharthari village in Gorakhpur district, Uttar Pradesh. He sustained a bullet injury on his face during the shootout and was taken into custody. Two police personnel, sub-inspector Santosh Kumar and home guard Pramod Sah, sustained minor injuries.
According to officials, a police team acting on a tip-off about liquor smugglers in the area began checking vehicles on the Bhora-Mirganj main road. When police attempted to intercept the suspect's SUV, the smuggler allegedly tried to flee. As police moved to stop him, he reportedly opened fire on the team.
Police retaliated in self-defence, leading to a brief exchange of gunfire. During the encounter, Kishan was struck by a bullet and collapsed at the scene. He was taken to Gopalganj Sadar Hospital for treatment. Doctors provided first aid and referred him to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) after his condition was deemed critical.
Following the encounter, police searched the vehicle and recovered a country-made pistol along with live cartridges. They also seized 704 litres of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) and country-made liquor from the SUV.
According to SHO Praveen Kumar, when police tried to stop and search the SUV, the driver suddenly reversed the vehicle with a jerk. “Due to this, SI Santosh fell on the road. In the meantime, Kishan, who was also in the vehicle, opened fire on the police team. In retaliation, the police also fired and a bullet hit him,” he said.
Police claimed Kishan is allegedly involved in several liquor smuggling cases and is believed to be part of a larger interstate smuggling network. Investigators are now working to identify others involved in the racket.
