Patna: A late-night police encounter in Patna’s Masaurhi area on Wednesday left Lawrence Bishnoi gang operative Paramanand Yadav injured and in custody. Yadav, who is wanted in more than 36 serious criminal cases across Bihar and Jharkhand, was shot in the leg during an exchange of fire and has been admitted to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for treatment.
According to police, Yadav—identified as the Bihar in-charge of the Bishnoi gang—had entered Patna to execute a major crime. Acting on a tip-off, teams traced his movement and set up a checkpoint on National Highway 22. Late at night, a Pulsar motorcycle approached the barricade near Lala Bigha village. When officers signaled the rider to stop, Yadav allegedly pulled out a pistol and opened fire. Police returned fire, hitting him in the leg. He fell on the road and was immediately overpowered. His weapon was seized at the spot.
Police said Yadav is a native of Chater village in Chandwa block of Jharkhand’s Latehar district and had been trying to expand his network in Bihar. He has been on law enforcement radar for a long time due to his alleged involvement in extortion, murder, and other violent crimes.
Series of Encounters in January
The Masaurhi incident marks the fourth police encounter in Patna district this month. On January 15, police injured and arrested Nitish Yadav in Maner in connection with a shooting during a robbery of a gold trader. Earlier, on January 11, police shot Prahlad Kumar in the leg in Barh while arresting him in a murder case. On January 2, notorious criminal Manager Rai was injured in a gunfight with the STF and Khagaul police; he was admitted to AIIMS Patna. Police recovered two cartridges and a country-made pistol from the scene and said Rai faces over 20 cases, including murder and extortion.
Earlier STF Operation Against Naxalites
On December 31, STF personnel also killed a ₹50,000 reward Naxalite, Dayanand Malakar—alias Chhotu, Daman, Kulveer, Akash, Sanesh, and Yogendra—in an encounter near Nonpur village under Teghra police station limits in Begusarai. Police said they acted on intelligence that the area commander was present in his village. When the team moved in, the Naxalites allegedly fired first, leading to a prolonged exchange of over 20 rounds.
Senior officers said operations against organized crime and insurgent networks will continue with intensified intelligence-led policing across Patna and adjoining districts.
