In a daring and meticulously executed robbery, six armed men stormed a jewellery store in Bihar’s Ara, making off with valuables worth an estimated Rs 25 crore. The brazen heist, which took place in broad daylight, quickly escalated into a dramatic police chase and a gunfight, leading to the capture of two suspects. The remaining culprits, however, are still on the run, prompting an intense manhunt by law enforcement agencies.
The Heist Unfolds
According to Kumar Mritunjay, the store manager, the incident began at around 10:30 am on Monday when the jewellery showroom had just opened for business. The robbers, disguising themselves as customers, entered the store in pairs to avoid suspicion. “At first, we did not think much of it. Our policy does not allow large groups of people to enter the showroom at once, so they came in two at a time. Everything seemed normal until the last one walked in,” said Manoj Thakur, the security guard stationed at the entrance.
As soon as the sixth man entered, he swiftly pulled out a pistol and pointed it at Thakur’s head. The other robbers then sprang into action, overpowering the staff and rolling down the shutters to prevent anyone from escaping or alerting the authorities. The security guard was assaulted, and his rifle was forcefully taken away.
With the showroom now in their control, the robbers lined up the staff and ordered them to stay silent. Any resistance was met with force, as two employees were reportedly beaten. “They took almost everything that was on display, sweeping through the counters in a matter of minutes,” Mritunjay stated.
For nearly half an hour, the armed men ransacked the store, methodically collecting gold, silver, and diamond jewellery into large bags. The robbery was carried out in a systematic and professional manner, suggesting prior planning and knowledge of the showroom’s layout. Simran, a salesperson at the showroom, recalled the terrifying ordeal: “We knew something was off when they started lining us up. We tried to hide and call the police, but they had already taken our phones.”
Apart from the jewellery, the robbers also took an undisclosed amount of cash. Mritunjay mentioned that an assessment was underway to determine the exact amount stolen. “We are still calculating the total loss, but the jewellery itself is worth approximately Rs 25 crore,” he added.
The Escape and the Chase
After executing the heist, the six criminals swiftly exited the store and mounted three motorcycles parked outside. The entire operation had been timed precisely, minimizing the window for response from law enforcement. As they sped away from the scene, a police patrol vehicle stationed nearby was alerted to the robbery and immediately took up the chase.
The suspects raced along the Ara-Babura route toward Doriganj, weaving through traffic in a desperate attempt to evade capture. “They were signalled to stop multiple times, but instead of slowing down, they increased their speed,” said Bhojpur Superintendent of Police Raj. The officers in the patrol vehicle continued the pursuit, relaying their movements to other police units in the area.
As the chase intensified, the robbers, realizing they were being cornered, decided to abandon their motorcycles and flee on foot. In a last-ditch effort to escape, they opened fire at the pursuing police officers, prompting the law enforcement team to return fire in self-defense. In the ensuing gunfight, two of the suspects were shot in the legs and apprehended on the spot.
The captured men were later identified as Vishal Gupta from Dighwara in Saran and Kunal Kumar from Semra in Sonpur. They were immediately taken into custody and transported to a local hospital for medical treatment. Authorities believe they may hold key information regarding the rest of the gang and their broader network.
Ongoing Investigation and Manhunt
Following the high-profile heist and subsequent shootout, the Bhojpur police intensified their efforts to track down the remaining suspects. Superintendent Raj confirmed that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been formed to probe the case, with Assistant Superintendent of Police Parichay Kumar leading the operation.
Roadblocks have been established at various locations, and surveillance footage from nearby establishments is being examined to identify potential leads. “We are analyzing CCTV footage from the store and surrounding areas to get a clearer picture of their movements before and after the robbery,” said an officer involved in the investigation.
The police suspect that the gang may have had insider information regarding the showroom’s security measures, as their operation was executed with remarkable precision. Investigators are also looking into whether this gang has been involved in similar crimes elsewhere.
Fear and Shock in the Community
The audacious heist has left the local community in shock, raising concerns over the safety of businesses in the area. “Such an incident happening in broad daylight is alarming. We have never seen something like this before,” said a shopkeeper from a nearby store.
Many business owners are now calling for enhanced security measures, including increased police patrolling and stricter surveillance. Jewellery store owners, in particular, are considering upgrading their security protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.
Police Urge Public Cooperation
The police have appealed to the public to come forward with any information that might assist in the investigation. “If anyone has seen or heard anything suspicious in the area during or after the incident, we urge them to report it to the authorities,” SP Raj stated.
Authorities are also questioning known criminals in the region to determine whether the heist was orchestrated by a local gang or if it was the work of an organized criminal syndicate operating on a larger scale.
Conclusion
The Rs 25-crore heist in Ara is one of the most daring jewellery robberies in Bihar’s recent history. While two suspects have been captured, the search for the remaining gang members continues. The swift police response and ensuing gunfight highlight the risks that law enforcement officers take in maintaining public safety. As the investigation unfolds, authorities remain committed to bringing the remaining culprits to justice and recovering the stolen valuables.
For now, the people of Ara remain on edge, hoping for a swift resolution to the case. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for robust security measures and vigilance against organized crime.
