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February 14, 2026 – India –
A journalist covering local news in Siwan district, Bihar, was shot and critically injured by unidentified assailants in what authorities are treating as a targeted attack, police and multiple Indian media outlets reported on 13 February 2026. The incident has raised serious concerns about the safety of media workers in the region and prompted a police investigation.
The journalist, identified by local reports as Rahul Kumar, was shot near Siwan city’s Gauri Ganj area in the late afternoon when attackers opened fire as he was returning from an assignment. Eyewitnesses said Kumar was struck by multiple bullets and collapsed at the scene, prompting bystanders to rush him to the hospital.
Kumar was admitted in critical condition to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), where doctors said he was receiving intensive treatment for gunshot wounds. Medical staff indicated that while he remained in a serious condition, efforts were being made to stabilise him and treat life-threatening injuries. Hospital authorities declined to comment on his prognosis beyond confirming that he was in intensive care.
Siwan Police Commissioner SP Vikas Kumar told reporters that the attack appeared to be deliberate and could be linked to the journalist’s reporting work, but investigators were still exploring motive and possible suspects. Crime scene teams collected evidence at the location of the shooting, and ballistic experts were deployed to examine spent cartridges and other material that could help identify the attackers.
Local journalists and press associations condemned the attack, demanding swift action from law enforcement and protection for media professionals. The Bihar Union of Working Journalists (BUWJ) issued a statement calling the shooting “an assault on press freedom and the safety of journalists,” and urged the state government to bring the perpetrators to justice. They noted that journalists often face threats and violence when reporting on crime, politics, and corruption at the grassroots level, making protective measures and accountability mechanisms essential.
The attack comes amid a broader pattern of violence and intimidation against journalists in parts of India, where reporters covering controversial subjects or exposing wrongdoing have sometimes been threatened, assaulted, or worse. Advocacy groups stressed that ensuring the safety of journalists is vital for democratic accountability and the public’s right to information, and called on authorities to conduct a thorough, transparent investigation into the Siwan shooting.
Reference –
https://www.etvbharat.com/en/state/miscreants-shot-journalist-in-siwan-enn26021303560
