‘Got shot in the foot and fell’: Eyewitness recounts brazen Patna hospital shooting
A sense of fear and disbelief gripped Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) on Sunday after a man was shot inside the hospital campus, in what many described as a brazen act of violence in a public healthcare facility. The Patna hospital shooting took place around noon, right in front of shocked patients, relatives, and hospital staff.
According to eyewitnesses, two individuals entered the PMCH premises posing as visitors. Without warning, one of them pulled out a firearm and fired multiple shots, hitting a young man in the foot. The loud gunshots echoed through the hospital corridors, sending people running in every direction.
“He got shot in the foot and fell instantly. Blood was pouring, and everyone started screaming. People were hiding behind beds and doors. It was like a movie scene,” said Arjun Singh, a patient’s relative who witnessed the incident.
Hospital Turns Into Crime Scene
The incident has raised serious concerns about the security arrangements in government hospitals, especially in facilities like PMCH which cater to thousands of patients daily. The victim, identified as a 24-year-old youth from the Kankarbagh area, was reportedly waiting to meet a doctor when he was attacked.
After being shot, he was quickly shifted to the trauma ward where his condition was declared stable. However, his identity and the motive behind the attack remain under investigation.
Senior police officials rushed to the spot immediately. Forensic teams cordoned off the area and began gathering evidence. Initial CCTV footage shows the attackers fleeing the scene on a motorcycle just moments after the incident.
Gang Rivalry or Personal Dispute? Police Probe Multiple Angles
Patna police have not ruled out the possibility of gang rivalry or personal enmity behind the shooting. Speaking to the media, SSP Rajeev Mishra said, “We have identified the attackers through CCTV footage and are conducting raids to nab them. It appears to be a targeted attack, not random violence.”
Sources in the police department revealed that the victim may have had prior connections with local gangs, though this has not been officially confirmed. Investigators are also checking his call records and questioning relatives to establish a motive.
Hospital Security in Question
Following the Patna hospital shooting, questions are being raised about how armed individuals managed to enter a state-run hospital, roam freely, and execute such an attack without immediate interception.
Dr. Ashok Kumar, a senior surgeon at PMCH, voiced his concerns: “This is deeply alarming. If such incidents can happen in broad daylight inside a hospital, where are we safe? What about the safety of patients and staff?”
Currently, there are no metal detectors at PMCH entrances, and visitors often walk in without any screening. Despite the presence of guards, their training and equipment are limited, which adds to the vulnerability of the facility.
Political Leaders React
The incident has sparked a political row as opposition parties slammed the Nitish Kumar-led Bihar government over deteriorating law and order. Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav tweeted,
“Even hospitals in Bihar aren’t safe anymore. What kind of governance allows such brazen violence in public institutions?”
Meanwhile, the ruling Janata Dal (United) responded by promising swift action. Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey said, “This is unacceptable. Security protocols at all government hospitals will be reviewed. The culprits will be caught soon.”
Public Fear and Hospital Disruption
The shooting caused chaos throughout the hospital for hours. Several OPD services were temporarily halted, and many patients left the hospital premises in panic. Relatives of in-patients expressed concern about their loved ones’ safety and demanded increased police presence.
Suman Devi, whose husband is undergoing treatment at PMCH, said, “We came here for healing, not for bullets. This should never happen again.”
Hospital authorities have now deployed additional guards, and local police have set up a temporary outpost outside the emergency wing.
Previous Incidents Raise Alarm Bells
This is not the first time such violence has erupted in a Bihar hospital. Just last year, a similar incident was reported in Muzaffarpur where two rival groups clashed inside a hospital premises, resulting in injuries.
Healthcare professionals in the state are urging the government to develop comprehensive security policies for hospitals, including installation of metal detectors, bag checks, and emergency panic buttons.
Conclusion: An Urgent Wake-Up Call
The Patna hospital shooting is more than just an isolated crime—it reflects a deep vulnerability in the state’s public institutions. Hospitals, which should be sanctuaries of safety and care, are now becoming battlegrounds due to lax security and unchecked criminal activity.
As investigations continue and police promise justice, one thing remains clear: urgent reforms are needed to prevent such terrifying episodes from repeating.
