Patna: A former Naxalite commander has been shot dead by unidentified assailants in Bihar’s Jamui district, triggering shock in a region where extremist violence had significantly declined in recent years. The victim, identified as Lakhan Yadav from Chilakakhar village, was reportedly ambushed in the Charakapatthar police station area, where he was shot multiple times on the road.
Yadav, who previously faced allegations of involvement in the Jhajha station arms looting case, had left the Naxal movement and was reportedly earning his livelihood as a tractor driver. Jamui SDPO Rajesh Kumar confirmed the incident, stating that the body has been sent for postmortem, and forensic teams have collected evidence from the scene.
Police have so far ruled out the involvement of Naxalite groups and are treating the murder as a criminal act rather than a resurgence of organised insurgent activity. However, the killing has renewed anxiety in the district, where authorities had previously claimed major progress against Naxal influence.
According to family members, Yadav had travelled to a neighbouring village on a motorcycle with two companions before the attack. His brother-in-law, Tun Tun Yadav, said the family received a call shortly after informing them of the murder.
An investigation is underway, with officers examining all possible motives, including personal enmity and organised criminal involvement. Police have expressed confidence that arrests will be made soon, though the motive remains unclear.
