Patna: A 42-year-old man from Gaya was shot dead aboard the Kolkata-Jammu Tawi Express in a case that police say is linked to a suspected serial killer accused of murdering three people within 26 and a half hours.
Police identified the accused as Gurpreet Singh alias Virendra, a retired Army personnel from Amritsar who allegedly carried out the killings in Uttar Pradesh before being arrested by the UP Police.
Investigators described the accused as a “psycho killer” and said all three victims were shot in the temple at close range.
Bihar Traveller Shot Inside Train Near Mughalsarai
According to police, the victim, Dinesh Shah, was a resident of Pipariya village in Gaya district and was travelling with his wife in the S-2 coach of the train en route to Naimisharanya Dham.
The incident occurred around 2am on Sunday night as the train slowed near “Block Hut-B” before reaching Mughalsarai railway station.
Police said Dinesh Shah had gone to the restroom when the accused allegedly shot him in the temple as he stepped out.
Passengers rushed to the scene after hearing the gunshot, while Shah’s wife found him lying in a pool of blood. The attacker reportedly escaped by jumping from the slow-moving train.
Police Rule Out Robbery Motive
Investigators said approximately Rs 15,000 in cash was recovered from the deceased and his wife’s jewellery remained untouched, suggesting robbery was not the motive behind the killing.
Railway Police teams questioned passengers aboard the train while another team was sent to the victim’s village to speak with family members.
Three Murders In 26 Hours
Police said the killing aboard the Jammu Tawi Express was the second of three murders allegedly committed by the accused within just over a day.
The first murder reportedly took place on Sunday morning aboard the DDU-Tadighat Passenger train.
The third incident occurred on Monday morning at a private hospital in Chandauli, where the accused allegedly entered a ward and shot a woman lying on a hospital bed.
Police said Gurpreet Singh was arrested shortly after the hospital shooting.
Ex-Army Man Arrested With Two Pistols
Officials said two pistols were recovered from the accused during his arrest. One weapon was reportedly licensed in his name, while the second firearm was allegedly illegal.
The accused, who retired from the Army in 2020, is currently being interrogated as investigators attempt to establish the motive behind the killings.
