Patna: A criminal who was injured during an exchange of fire with police in Patna’s Masaurhi area around midnight on Friday died during treatment on Saturday, while two police personnel were injured during the rescue operation. Police also rescued a young man who was allegedly lured to the spot and held captive by the accused and his associates.City SP (East) Parichay Kumar said Masaurhi police received information around 7.30pm on Friday that 4-5 armed men were assaulting a youth in a field near Manichak village. The victim was suspected to have been abducted and was facing a serious threat to his life.“A police team immediately rushed to the location and launched an operation to rescue the victim. However, as the officers moved in, the accused opened fire on them. The police retaliated in self-defence, leading to a brief gun battle. During the encounter, constable Rahul Kumar sustained a gunshot injury, while sub-inspector Sanjay Kumar suffered a minor injury after a bullet grazed his hand. Both injured officers were admitted to AIIMS-Patna and are reported to be out of danger. The accused escaped in the darkness,” Parichay told the reporters.The victim was rescued safely. During preliminary questioning, he told police he had been called to the spot on the pretext of purchasing a cellphone through an online deal. On reaching there, he was allegedly assaulted and an attempt was made to rob him of cash.Parichay said police later learned that one of the criminals had also suffered a gunshot injury during the exchange of fire. “Investigations revealed that his associates took him to Punpun primary health centre before shifting him to PMCH and later to private hospitals. He eventually succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at a private hospital around 12.10am on Saturday,” he said.The deceased, Mohammad Haider Ali, had earlier been jailed in a murder case registered in the Masaurhi area. Police said efforts are underway to trace the absconding accused.
