Patna: Two young men were injured in a daylight shooting in Patna on Sunday during Mahashivratri celebrations, after unidentified assailants opened fire near a tea stall in the Ramakrishna Nagar area. The incident, which took place close to Shivaji Chowk, triggered panic among locals and raised fresh concerns about public safety in the state capital.
According to police, the victims — identified as Bittu Kumar and Pintu Kumar — were sitting at a roadside tea stall when bike-borne attackers arrived and opened fire without warning. Witnesses said the sudden gunshots caused chaos in the crowded area, with pedestrians and shopkeepers scrambling for cover. Both men sustained serious injuries and were quickly taken to a nearby private hospital for treatment.
Doctors treating the victims said their condition is currently stable, though they remain under medical observation. Residents in the area said the rapid response of local people helped ensure the injured men received immediate medical attention. The shooting has left many residents shaken, particularly as it occurred during a major religious festival when public spaces were busy.
Officers from Ramakrishna Nagar police station reached the scene soon after receiving reports of the firing. Senior police official Ranjan Kumar, the Sadar SDPO-2, said investigators have collected evidence from the site and are reviewing CCTV footage from nearby cameras. He added that preliminary findings suggest the attack may have been linked to personal enmity, although police are examining all possible motives.
“Prima facie, the case appears to involve personal rivalry,” Ranjan Kumar said, adding that investigators are also looking into whether the shooting was pre-planned or the result of a sudden dispute. Police said efforts are under way to identify and arrest the suspects at the earliest, while heightened vigilance has been ordered in the surrounding area.
