Crime Investigation – Former Soldier Linked to Three Fatal Shootings in Eastern Uttar Pradesh
Crime Investigation – A series of violent incidents across eastern Uttar Pradesh has left investigators examining the movements and actions of a former serviceman accused of carrying out three separate killings within a short span of time.
The shocking murder of a 55-year-old woman inside a private hospital in Chandauli district triggered widespread concern across Uttar Pradesh on Monday. The victim, identified as Laxmina, was reportedly shot at close range while undergoing treatment, prompting panic among hospital staff, patients, and visitors.
Accused Detained After Hospital Shooting
According to police officials, local residents managed to overpower the gunman shortly after the attack as he attempted to flee the hospital premises. Investigators later identified the accused as Gurupreet Singh, a former army personnel from Punjab.
Police said the accused was carrying two firearms, including a revolver and a modified double-barreled weapon. During questioning, he allegedly confessed to involvement in two earlier killings aboard trains over the previous 26 hours.
Authorities stated that all three incidents occurred within a limited geographical stretch surrounding the Varanasi region.
Earlier Train Murders Under Investigation
Officials from the Government Railway Police said the first incident took place on May 10 aboard the PDDU-Tadighat Passenger train. The victim, identified as Mangru, a resident of Ghazipur district, reportedly became involved in an argument with the accused while the train was passing through the Alinagar area.
Investigators believe the confrontation escalated quickly, leading to the fatal shooting. Police sources said the accused later admitted to pushing the victim’s body onto the railway tracks before escaping from the train near Sakaldiha.
The second killing was reported the following day on the Kolkata-Jammu Tawi Express. Dinesh Shah, a resident of Bihar’s Gaya district, was travelling with family members for a pilgrimage when he was allegedly shot near the coach toilet shortly after the train departed Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction.
Passengers informed railway security personnel after hearing gunfire inside the coach. Railway police later recovered the body at Varanasi Junction and began collecting evidence.
Police Reveal Background of the Accused
DIG Varanasi Range Vaibhav Krishna said the accused belonged to Tarn Taran district in Punjab and had served in the Indian Army until 2021. Senior officers from the Chandauli police and Government Railway Police jointly questioned him following his arrest.
Investigators believe the accused may have been struggling with alcohol dependency and emotional instability. Police officials stated that he appeared aggressive during interrogation and allegedly admitted that the attacks were random and not connected to personal disputes or prior enmity.
According to preliminary findings, Gurupreet had travelled from Punjab to Bihar’s Ara district on April 29, reportedly in search of work as a security guard. However, officials said he could not provide clear details regarding the company where he intended to work.
Events Leading to the Hospital Attack
After the train incidents, the accused is believed to have moved around the Varanasi and Chandauli region on foot before arriving at Jeevak Hospital in Chandauli on Monday morning.
Police said he registered himself as a patient using a different name and consulted a doctor, who prescribed medication. A prescription slip was later recovered from his possession.
Witnesses told investigators that the accused later entered a ward on the upper floor of the hospital and suddenly opened fire at Laxmina, who had been admitted for treatment of a fractured leg. He reportedly fled immediately after the shooting.
Officials added that another shot was fired while he was escaping from the building, causing fear among people gathered outside the hospital.
Encounter During Crime Scene Recreation
Police said the accused was later taken for crime scene reconstruction near Kuchhman railway station under tight security. During the operation, he allegedly attempted to snatch a weapon from police personnel and tried to escape.
According to DIG Vaibhav Krishna, the accused opened fire on officers during the incident. Police responded with retaliatory firing, in which he sustained serious bullet injuries. He later died during treatment, officials confirmed.
The investigation into the sequence of events and security lapses surrounding the incidents remains ongoing.