Jamui pre-wedding attack: Woman dies, family injured, jewellery looted

A wedding-bound family's celebrations turned into tragedy in Bihar's Jamui district after armed assailants allegedly stormed their home, assaulted family members, opened fire and looted jewellery purchased for an upcoming marriage ceremony. A woman injured in the attack later died during treatment, while six others were left wounded.

The incident took place late Sunday night in Dadpur village under Jhajha police station limits, just a day before the family was set to host a wedding on July 1.

According to police and family members, masked attackers entered the house while preparations for the wedding were underway. The assailants allegedly assaulted residents with sharp weapons, fired gunshots and fled with jewellery and valuables that had been purchased for the marriage.

Among those injured was 35-year-old Baby Devi, who succumbed to her injuries while being taken to Patna for advanced treatment. Six other family members were also injured in the attack.

Police personnel from the Dial-112 emergency response unit rushed to the scene after receiving information about the incident and shifted the injured to a hospital in Jhajha. After initial treatment, Baby Devi, Suhaga Devi, Kajal Kumari, Komal Kumari and Subodh Kumar were referred to Jamui Sadar Hospital and later shifted to Patna for specialised treatment.

Family member Umesh Yadav said he had gone to Jhajha market to purchase items for his daughter Kajal Kumari's wedding. Several family members were asleep on the rooftop when the attack occurred.

According to the family, a group of around a dozen masked men, dressed in black and armed with swords, axes and other weapons, entered the house and launched the assault. The attackers had allegedly parked their motorcycles about 200 metres away from the residence.

Kajal Kumari alleged that the assailants fired two to three rounds during the attack. One of the bullets reportedly struck her mother, Suhaga Devi, in the leg. The attackers also snatched mobile phones and looted jewellery that had been kept aside for the wedding, she said.

Hearing gunshots and cries for help, villagers and relatives rushed to the spot. However, the attackers had already escaped on motorcycles by the time help arrived.

The family has alleged that the attack was linked to an ongoing land dispute. Relatives accused Vasudev Yadav, a family member, of orchestrating the assault with the help of associates and hired criminals. They claimed to have identified several of the alleged attackers.

Police have not officially confirmed the allegations but said suspects have been identified.

Jhajha police station in-charge Mintu Kumar Singh said raids were underway to arrest those involved in the incident.

The shocking attack has cast a shadow over what was meant to be a joyous occasion, leaving the family mourning a death just days before the wedding ceremony.

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