Fearless robbers struck terror in Jharkhand’s Palamu on Monday, shooting at a Pragna center owner and her spouse during a botched loot attempt near Hutar. The woman sustained a gunshot to her leg, her husband dodged a bullet by inches, and the assailants made off with a bag containing around three lakh rupees in cash.
The victims, Shama Parveen and Israfil from Barwadih, Latehar, were en route to Hutar on their motorcycle when four helmeted men on two bikes surrounded them. What began as a demand for the money bag escalated into chaos as the couple put up a fight. Shots rang out—three or four in rapid succession—piercing the afternoon calm.
Shama’s leg was hit, blood soaking her clothes, while a bullet whistled past Israfil’s ear, leaving him shaken but unscathed. The robbers grabbed the loot and vanished into the distance. Bystanders acted quickly, ferrying the duo to Barwadih’s community health center where they received immediate treatment.
Local leader Santoshi Shekhar, a Zilla Parishad member, visited the facility, pressing doctors for the best possible care. Police from Ramgarh station responded swiftly, combing the site for clues. Station officer Omprakash Shah stated, ‘Surveillance videos and tips from locals are guiding our probe. We’ve sealed escape routes, and arrests are imminent.’
The attack underscores the growing menace of bike-borne gangs in rural Jharkhand, fueling demands for better surveillance and rapid response units. With the couple recovering, authorities vow to crack down hard on such daylight heists.
