Farmer Injured by Stray Bullet During Army Firing Drill Near Patna’s Danapur Cantonment

A stray bullet from army firing practice near Danapur Cantonment injured a farmer working in a nearby field, prompting a police investigation.

Patna: A 25-year-old farmer sustained a gunshot injury on Monday during an army firing exercise near the Danapur Cantonment area in Patna district, raising fresh concerns over safety protocols in military training zones.

The incident occurred while long-range firing practice was underway at the cantonment’s firing range. According to police sources, the injured farmer, identified as Vijay Kumar, a resident of Daudpur village under Shahpur police station limits, was working in his field approximately two kilometres away from the designated range when he was struck in the hand by a stray bullet.

The victim who was reportedly plucking vegetables at the time, collapsed in the field due to the injury. He was initially rushed to the sub-divisional hospital in Danapur, where he received first aid, and was later referred to Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital for further treatment.

City Superintendent of Police Bhanu Pratap Singh, along with local Station House Officer Manish Kumar Anand, visited the site and launched an investigation. “Preliminary findings suggest the injury occurred during live fire training by the Bihar Regimental Centre (BRC) personnel,” City SP said, adding that discussions will be held with senior army officials to ascertain how the bullet breached the safety perimeter.

Police have confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances leading to the incident and whether standard operating procedures were breached during the firing drill.