Araria / Patna : A wanted criminal, Chunmun Jha, linked to the high-profile Tanishq showroom robbery in Purnia, was killed in an encounter with the Bihar Special Task Force (STF) in Araria district in the early hours of Saturday. Chunmun, who had been on the run for several months, was shot during an exchange of fire and succumbed to his injuries at Araria Sadar Hospital.
The encounter occurred around 3 am near the Thalha canal in the Narpatganj police station area, where Jha was believed to be hiding. Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of the STF and Araria police launched an operation to apprehend him. According to police sources, when the team approached the location, Chunmun and his accomplice opened fire, triggering a gunfight. While one of the criminals managed to escape, Chunmun was seriously injured after sustaining multiple bullet wounds.
Chunmun was initially taken to Narpatganj Primary Health Centre but was later referred to Araria Sadar Hospital due to his critical condition. Dr Pradeep Kumar, on duty at the hospital, confirmed that Jha was hit by six to seven bullets. He died during treatment. The exact number of bullet wounds will be confirmed following a post-mortem examination.
During the encounter, five police personnel, including three STF officers and Narpatganj police station in-charge Vikas Kumar, sustained injuries. All the injured officers are undergoing treatment at Narpatganj Hospital.
Police Crackdown on Criminals Continues
Following the encounter, senior police officials, including Superintendent of Police Anjani Kumar, SDPO Ram Pukar Singh, and CDPO Mukesh Shah, visited the site. SP Anjani Kumar confirmed the encounter and reiterated that a coordinated crackdown on criminals was underway. “This operation was part of our ongoing campaign to bring notorious criminals to justice,” Kumar said.
Chunmun Jha, a resident of Majlispur village in the Palasi police station area of Araria, had been a fugitive since the Purnia Tanishq showroom heist. The robbery, which had shocked the region, involved a meticulously planned operation allegedly masterminded by Chunmun and his associates, some of whom have already been arrested.
