Jeep driver Santosh Singh, in an act of courage and bravery, ensured the safety of his passengers by driving the vehicle for a few kilometres even after suffering a bullet injury in the stomach in Bihar’s Bhojpur district, police said on Saturday.

Singh was returning from a Tilak ceremony with 14-15 people aboard his Jeep when two bike-borne men chased the vehicle near Jhaun village and opened fire with a bullet hitting Singh’s stomach.

Despite his injury and unbearable pain, he did not stop the vehicle and kept on driving for a few kilometres ensuring the safety of passengers. Singh finally stopped the vehicle at a safe place, the police said.

Other passengers in the Jeep informed the police. The police immediately reached the spot and took Singh to the nearest hospital.

The incident happened on the intervening night of Wednesday and Thursday.

Singh’s bullet has been removed following surgery at a hospital in Ara. “He is out of danger…but he will remain under observation of doctors for some more days”, sub-divisional police officer (SDPO), Jagdishpur, Rajiv Chandra Singh told PTI on Saturday.

A case has been registered on the basis of a complaint filed by the family members of the victim and a manhunt has been lodged to nab the accused, said the sub-divisional
police officer.

During investigation, it was found that the accused had targeted another vehicle in the area on the same day, he said, adding forensic experts have been engaged to assist the police in the investigation.

According to the details provided by the passengers, the police have prepared sketches of the accused and....taking help of villagers in ascertaining the identities of the accused, he said.

“Further investigation is on and we have also recorded the statement of the driver,” the sub-divisional police officer added.

Hikes in reward

The Bihar government has increased the monetary reward for gallantry award winners.

Those winning Param Vir Chakra from the state will now be given ₹1 crore instead of the previous ₹10 lakh, an official said on Saturday.