4 hrs ago
Azamgarh Standoff Over Triple Shooting Ends With Children Rescued
Police in Azamgarh surrounded a house after a man allegedly shot several people during a religious ceremony.
The man was accused of killing his wife and two priests.
He then stayed inside with his three children.
Police said he would not come out and threatened the children and officers.
During the standoff, the boy was shot.
Police entered the room after negotiations failed, using tear gas and stun grenades.
The two girls were rescued and taken to a hospital.
Reports disagree about whether the accused and his son later died or whether the accused survived with critical injuries.
Police said Arvind Singh allegedly shot and killed his wife and two priests during a religious ritual in Azamgarh.
He then reportedly locked himself in a room with his three children and refused to surrender during a seven- to eight-hour standoff.
Police said the man shot his son and opened fire when officers entered using stun grenades and tear gas.
The two daughters were rescued and taken to hospital; they were reportedly dehydrated, traumatised and in shock.
Accounts differ over the outcome: one said Arvind was critically injured, while another reported that he and his son later died.
- Who
- Arvind Singh, his wife Babita Singh, two priests, his three children, and Azamgarh Police.
- What
- A man allegedly killed his wife and two priests, held three children inside a room, and exchanged fire with police during a prolonged standoff.
- Where
- A residence in Shambhupur village, under Aharaula police station limits in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh.
- When
- The incident reportedly began on Tuesday evening, September 22, and continued into Wednesday, September 23; reports described the standoff as lasting about seven to eight hours.
- Why
- Police said an argument began after Arvind objected to a religious ritual arranged by family members, who reportedly believed he was mentally disturbed, aggressive or affected by an evil spirit.
Police and Official Account
Other Reported Account
Outcome of the operation
Police and Official Account
The police account said all three children were rescued, the son was taken to hospital after being shot, and Arvind was critically injured and hospitalized.
Other Reported Account
Another report said Arvind was killed in a police encounter and that his son also died from his injuries; only the two daughters were rescued.
Length of the standoff
Police and Official Account
Officials described the siege as lasting seven hours.
Other Reported Account
Another account described the standoff as lasting nearly eight hours overnight.
Reason for the religious ritual
Police and Official Account
Police said Arvind's mother and wife arranged the ritual because they believed he was mentally disturbed, aggressive or affected by an evil spirit.
Other Reported Account
Other reports cited additional claims, including heavy drinking or a ritual connected with the soul of Arvind's deceased brother.
Key facts
- Reported victims
- Babita Singh and two priests; reports identified the priests as Mahendra Pathak and Akhilesh Mishra.
- Children involved
- Three children were inside the room; the two daughters were rescued, while the son was reportedly shot.
- Standoff duration
- Reportedly approximately seven to eight hours.
- Police tactics
- Negotiations, stun grenades, tear gas and limited return fire.
- Police officials
- ADG Varanasi Zone Naveen Arora and Azamgarh SSP Anil Kumar were involved in the response.
- Location
- Shambhupur village, Aharaula police station area, Azamgarh district.
- Conflicting outcome reports
- One account said Arvind was critically injured and hospitalized; another said he and his son died and that Arvind was declared dead.
Quotes
Naveen Arora
ADG Varanasi Zone who described the police operation and the children’s condition
“The accused had been consistently objecting to this and was angry with his family about it. When his wife pointed out that he was insulting the priest conducting the ritual, he became enraged and shot his wife and two other people. All three of them have died. The accused has locked himself in a room along with his children. Our police team is employing tact and dialogue in an effort to safely rescue the children and bring them out unharmed”
republicworld.com
“Even after a seven-hour siege, the accused refused to come out and kept insisting we wait until morning...Finally, when he (accused Arvind) opened fire from within, the SSP and three or four members of the SOG team were compelled to break down the door and enter as a last resort. We used stun grenades and tear gas; as the team members, including the SSP, entered, they came under fire and were forced to return fire.”
republicworld.com
Sources
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