Archive · 29 Aug 2026
Hazaribagh Police Arrest Three in Opium Network Operation
Police in Hazaribagh carried out an operation against people suspected of selling opium.
The action happened near Hathiya Baba Temple in the Chouparan area.
Police said three suspects were caught, but one of them, Ajay Singh, was injured by gunfire.
Officers said Singh fired first while trying to escape toward a forest.
Police said they fired back to protect themselves.
Two other suspects were arrested, but their names were not released.
Officers also found guns, bullets, cartridges and some opium.
The exact amount of opium has not been announced.
Police are continuing to investigate whether more people were involved.
Police arrested two suspects and injured a third during an operation in Chouparan, Hazaribagh, on Saturday.
The operation followed information about armed people allegedly buying and selling opium near Hathiya Baba Temple.
Police said injured suspect Ajay Singh fired at officers while fleeing toward a forest, prompting return fire in self-defence.
Two country-made pistols, live ammunition, spent cartridges and an undisclosed quantity of opium were reportedly recovered.
Ajay Singh was referred from Barhi Community Health Centre to Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences in Ranchi; further investigation is underway.
- Who
- Chouparan police, led by Officer-in-Charge Pankaj Kumar, and three suspected participants in an alleged opium and armed-crime network; one was identified as Ajay Singh.
- What
- Police conducted a raid, arrested two suspects, injured and apprehended another, and reported recovering firearms, ammunition, cartridges and opium.
- When
- Saturday; the article does not provide a specific date.
- Where
- Near Hathiya Baba Temple in Chouparan, Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand; Ajay Singh was later referred to RIMS in Ranchi.
- Why
- Police said they acted on information that armed people were allegedly involved in buying and selling opium near the temple.
Police Account
Suspect-Side Position
Use of firearms
Police Account
Police said the fleeing suspect opened fire first, and officers returned fire in self-defence, injuring him in the abdomen.
Suspect-Side Position
The article does not provide a statement from Ajay Singh or the other suspects disputing the police account.
Alleged criminal activity
Police Account
Police alleged that the group was involved in buying and selling opium and related armed criminal activities.
Suspect-Side Position
The suspects' responses and any independent confirmation of the allegations were not reported.
- Operation location
- Near Hathiya Baba Temple, Chouparan, Hazaribagh district
- Police leadership
- Pankaj Kumar, Chouparan police station officer-in-charge
- Suspects caught
- Three; two arrested and Ajay Singh injured and apprehended
- Identified suspect
- Ajay Singh of Chapi village, under Barachatti police station, Gaya district, Bihar
- Reported recoveries
- Two country-made pistols, live ammunition, spent cartridges and opium
- Opium quantity
- Not disclosed by officials
- Medical treatment
- Ajay Singh was referred from Barhi Community Health Centre to RIMS, Ranchi