Bihar STF Shoots Down Jewellery Showroom Heist Accused In Gun Battle

The Bihar Police's Special Task Force (STF) on Saturday knocked down 25-year-old suspect, Chunmun Jha, in a confrontation near the Thalha canal in Araria. According to the reports, the deceased was accused of robbery at a Tanishq jewellery showroom in Ara. The robbery happened on March 10, where six men posing as customers stole jewellery worth Rs 10 crore.

As per police reports, the STF received intelligence about a criminal gang planning a significant crime. Acting on this information, the district police and STF conducted a joint raid. Upon spotting the STF, the criminals attempted to escape and fired at the police. In the ensuing gunfire exchange, Chunmun Jha was shot and later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Criminal Background and Ongoing Investigations

Chunmun Jha had multiple cases against him, including robberies and murders. Besides the Ara heist, police are investigating his involvement in another jewellery showroom robbery in Purnea last July. Pramod Kumar Mandal, DIG of Purnea Range, stated that Jha was involved in both the Purnea and Ara Tanishq heists.

"Jha was the most wanted criminal in the Purnea range," said Mandal. "He was involved in 12 different cases of robbery and murder over the last five years. We had been tracking him for some time and received a tip-off about his whereabouts." The police headquarters had also placed a bounty on him.

Injuries Sustained During Encounter

The encounter resulted in injuries to five STF personnel who are currently receiving treatment at Araria Sadar Hospital. The injured officers include SHO Narpatganj Kumar Vikas, Inspector Mohammad Mushtaq of the STF, JCs Shahabuddin Ansari and Deepak Kumar, along with Driver Nagesh.

Mukesh Sah, SDPO (Forbesganj), mentioned that Jha was taken to a local hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Medical staff reported that Jha sustained multiple gunshot wounds-two to his chest and one to his leg.

Last week, an ASI named Rajiv Ranjan Mal died after being allegedly assaulted by associates of Chunmun Jha at Lakshmipur village. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other criminals who fled during the encounter.