Former Congress MLA Bamber Thakur was allegedly shot at by unidentified attackers at his residence in Himachal Pradesh’s Bilaspur district, police said on Friday. A manhunt has been launched to trace the assailants. Thakur and his personal security officer were injured in the attack. Thakur sustained a bullet injury in his leg and was referred to the Indira Gandhi Medical College in Shimla. His security officer has been admitted to AIIMS, Bilaspur. The attack took place when Thakur and others were sitting in the courtyard of his wife's government accommodation. Four armed men entered the premises and opened fire. A witness said around 12 rounds were fired.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said he had spoken to Thakur and advised him to go to AIIMS, but the leader preferred treatment at IGMC. The deputy commissioner has been instructed to make necessary arrangements, Sukhu said in a video message.
Superintendent of Police Sandeep Dhawal said the attackers fled towards the main market after the shooting. Police teams have been deployed to track them down and they will be booked under relevant sections, he added.
Thakur’s elder brother Desh Raj Thakur said the Congress leader took cover behind parked cars to save himself. His security officer suffered multiple bullet injuries. He also claimed that people involved in an earlier attack on Thakur may be behind this one too.
Thakur has been vocal against the drug trade in the region, particularly the use of 'chitta' (adulterated heroin), and his family suspects this might be linked to the attack. In February 2024, Thakur was seriously injured in another attack in the presence of his son Puranjan Thakur. Later, Puranjan was accused of hiring a hitman to shoot one of the accused in that earlier case, reportedly to avenge the assault on his father.
(With agency inputs)