Gunmen storm municipal office, kill EO and shoot at chairperson

Bhagalpur: Armed criminals shot dead the executive officer of Sultanganj Nagar Parishad and critically injured the chairperson in a brazen daylight attack inside the civic body’s office in Sultanganj block of Bhagalpur district around 4pm on Tuesday.According to police sources, the attackers entered the office chamber and opened fire on executive officer Krishna Bhushan Kumar and chairperson Raj Kumar Guddu during a meeting. Krishna Bhushan died on the spot, while Guddu, who sustained multiple bullet injuries to the head and chest, was rushed to Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College and Hospital (JLNMCH).Doctors at JLNMCH referred Guddu to Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH) due to his critical condition. He was shifted in an ambulance under heavy police escort, while efforts were also being made to airlift him.Sources said CCTV footage showed three men entering the chairperson’s chamber carrying bags. After a brief exchange, they pulled out pistols and opened fire. Panic-stricken people present in the chamber fled. The assailants also shot Krishna Bhushan, dragged him outside and fired again with two other accomplices waiting outside. All five attackers had allegedly entered the premises disguised as workers.Two of them remained outside with faces covered, posing as workers shielding themselves from the heat, while three carried out the shooting. The security guard was caught off guard and could not anticipate the attack.Eyewitnesses said the victims were in a meeting with others, including standing committee members, when the attackers arrived on two-wheelers, entered the office and opened fire before fleeing.City DSP Ajay Kumar Choudhary said, “A team has been formed and investigation is underway. Raids are also conducted.”The urban development and housing department expressed condolences over Krishna Bhushan’s death, calling him a dedicated officer, and said the govt has taken serious cognisance of the incident and will ensure strict legal action against those responsible.