Patna/Gaya: Two men accused in a Rs. 45 lakh jewellery robbery in Gaya were injured in a police encounter late on Monday night, officials said.
Police said the suspects were linked to the May 27 robbery in Gurua market, where jeweller Prabhakar Barnwal was shot and robbed of jewellery and cash.
According to Senior Superintendent of Police Sushil Kumar, officers acted on intelligence suggesting that members of the gang were planning another crime.
A police team laid a trap near Banahi sand ghat in Amas police station area.
Police say suspects opened fire
Officials said the suspects were asked to surrender but allegedly attempted to flee and opened fire on the police team.
Police returned fire, injuring two of the accused in their legs.
The injured have been identified as Sujit Choudhary and Shravan Mallah. Sujit sustained three bullet injuries to his leg, while Shravan suffered one. Both have been admitted to Magadh Medical College Hospital and are under treatment.
Stolen gold recovered, three others absconding
Police said the two suspects admitted their involvement in the Gurua robbery during questioning.
Authorities also said part of the stolen gold was recovered, though the exact quantity has not yet been confirmed.
Three other members of the group reportedly escaped under cover of darkness. Police said raids are continuing to trace them.
Officials added that both injured suspects have previous criminal records, with cases registered in multiple police station areas in Bihar and Jharkhand.
Background of the Gurua robbery
The robbery took place on May 27, when four armed men allegedly intercepted jeweller Prabhakar Barnwal while he was returning home after closing his shop.
Police said the assailants fired several rounds, injuring Barnwal in the leg before fleeing with a bag containing jewellery and cash worth around Rs. 45 lakh.
He was later taken to hospital for treatment.
Liquor smuggler injured in Gopalganj encounter
In a separate incident in Gopalganj, police said an alleged liquor smuggler from Uttar Pradesh was injured during an encounter on Tuesday morning.
The incident took place near Banshi Batraha village in the Shripur police station area, following a tip-off about a large consignment of liquor.
Search operation after exchange of fire
Police said a team set up a checkpoint after receiving the information. When officers attempted to stop the suspects, they allegedly opened fire.
In the exchange, one suspect, identified as Kishan Kumar, suffered a bullet injury to his jaw.
He was first taken to Gopalganj Sadar Hospital and later referred to PMCH Patna after doctors described his condition as serious.
Police said a country-made firearm and live cartridges were recovered from the site. Further investigation is under way.
