Dacoits loot train, shoot passenger in Jharkhand

A passenger was critically injured and properties worth about Rs50 lakh were looted by dacoits from the Giridih-Madhupur Passenger train in Giridih district last night.

Over 20 armed dacoits went into looting spree in the reserved and general compartments after the train left Giridih station, railway sources said.

They looted cash, jewellery and mobile phones from the passengers, pulled the chain and fled with the booty. They fired at a passenger identified as Pravin Sahay, a government employee, when he resisted their move.

Sahay was first taken to Madhupur hospital, from where the doctors referred him to Sadar Hospital, Giridih.

Thursday being a holiday in Giridih market, many businessmen took the train on their way to Kolkata and Patna for purchasing goods.

The train, with two compartments each for Kolkata and Patna, was moving without any escort team, passengers alleged.

Confirming the incident, superintendent of railway (Dhanbad) PK Srivastav said it was being investigated.