PATNA : A chilling saga of criminal bravado met a violent end in the early hours of Tuesday, March 17, 2026. Notorious Bihar gangster Kundan Thakur was killed in a high-stakes police encounter in East Champaran’s Motihari district. The gunfight, which erupted in Ramdihah village under the Chakia police station limits, also resulted in the tragic death of STF Constable Shriram Yadav. This confrontation followed a viral audio clip where Thakur openly dared the police to an encounter, predicting heavy casualties among the force.
The joint operation by the Special Task Force (STF) and local police began around 2:30 AM after intelligence traced Thakur’s location. Moreover, the gangster had recently issued a brazen challenge to the Additional SHO of Chakia via a Nepal-based number. In the recording, Thakur warned that the “next big news” would be the death of 10 to 15 policemen. However, the law caught up with him much sooner than he anticipated.
The Deadly Exchange in Ramdihah Village
Acting on confirmed leads, the police team surrounded a hideout where Thakur and his associates were sheltered. Instead of surrendering, the criminals opened indiscriminate fire on the security forces. During the initial volley, 31-year-old STF jawan Shriram Yadav sustained critical injuries. Although rushed to a nearby hospital, he was declared dead upon arrival.
“We lost a brave officer, but the team acted with immense restraint and courage,” stated East Champaran SP Swarn Prabhat. In retaliatory firing, the police shot dead Kundan Thakur and his close associate, Priyanshu Dubey (also known as Priyanshu Kumar). Following the encounter, the area remained tense with heavy police deployment to prevent any further escalation by Thakur’s gang members.
Viral Threats and a History of Crime
Kundan Thakur was a dreaded name in the Muzaffarpur and East Champaran regions. He faced at least six major criminal cases, ranging from the murder of Amrendra Pandey to a brutal attack on a drug dealer. Recently, his viral audio clip revealed a mindset of absolute defiance. Thakur accused the police of harassing his family and insisted he would confront them “head-on” rather than flee like a fugitive.
Additionally, police recovered a significant cache of weapons from the encounter site. The haul included:
- One sophisticated carbine
- Two factory-made pistols
- Two country-made revolvers
- Multiple live and used cartridges
Shelter and Arrests: The Investigation Continues
The operation did not end with the shootout. Police arrested Ujjwal Kumar Tiwari and his father, Sant Kumar Tiwari, the owners of the house where the criminals were hiding. Interrogations are currently underway to uncover the depth of the network that provided logistics to Thakur.
While Thakur and Dubey are dead, several associates reportedly escaped under the cover of darkness. Consequently, a massive search operation is active across the Chakia region. Security has been tightened at all border checkposts near Nepal to ensure no remaining gang members slip out of the country. This encounter serves as a stern warning to organized crime syndicates attempting to challenge the sovereignty of the state.