Khunti, October 21, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Father Benedict Barla, principal of RC Boys Middle School in Jharkhand’s Khunti district and associated with St. Michael’s Cathedral, was shot by unidentified assailants on Wednesday. He sustained serious injuries and was referred to Ranchi for further treatment after receiving first aid at a local hospital.
Father Barla was found lying in a pool of blood on the school premises at around 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday. According to preliminary information, he had been present in the school office the previous night. However, it remains unclear whether the attack occurred during the night or in the early hours of Wednesday.
He was rushed to Khunti Sadar Hospital, where doctors provided first aid. Given the severity of his injuries, he was referred to Ranchi and subsequently admitted to Pulse Hospital, where he is undergoing treatment.
Following the incident, the Khunti Superintendent of Police, the Sub-Divisional Police Officer and other police personnel reached the spot.
A police team inspected the school premises and gathered information as part of the preliminary investigation. Given the seriousness of the attack, police have launched a probe to establish the motive and identify those responsible.
Investigators are examining CCTV footage from areas surrounding the school and roads leading to the premises. The footage is expected to help identify the suspects and trace their movements before and after the incident.
The motive behind the shooting and the identities of the assailants remain unknown. Police are investigating the case from all possible angles and collecting evidence to identify and arrest those involved.
In a separate incident earlier this year, two Roman Catholic priests were killed and another was injured on January 8 when their car collided with a truck in Khunti district.
The accident occurred on the Ranchi-Simdega Main Road. The deceased were identified as Father Sushil Praveen Tiru and Father Sunil Bhengra, both residents of Dodma.
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