Coal Project Targeted Again: Armed Criminals Fire on Hyva Trucks, Leave Prince Khan Pamphlet

HAZARIBAGH: In a brazen defiance of law and order, unidentified armed criminals targeted vehicles engaged in coal transportation for the Pakri Barwadih Coal Mining Project late Saturday night. The ambush occurred around 11:00 PM, roughly 200 metres ahead of the Terah Mile marker, sparking intense panic among local transport operators and project workers.

According to eyewitness accounts provided by the drivers, three armed assailants emerged from the darkness to intercept two Hyva trucks moving along the transport corridor. The criminals opened fire on the heavy vehicles, discharging approximately seven rounds in rapid succession. In addition to the gunfire, the attackers used iron rods to smash the windshields and heavily damage the vehicle cabins. Before fleeing into the nearby forest under the cover of night, the assailants left behind a targeted warning by dropping a pamphlet bearing the name “Prince Khan K.S.S.”

This violent ambush is not an isolated incident. It marks a worrying escalation of organized crime targeting the vital mining project. Earlier this year, on 22 April 2026, criminals disrupted operations by setting a coal-laden Hyva truck on fire in broad daylight near the exact same Terah Mile area. The recurrence of these targeted strikes highlights the growing audacity of regional gang elements attempting to extort or intimidate project concessionaires.

Condemning the late-night attack, the Pakri Barwadih Project Management issued a strong statement calling the criminal act an extremely serious matter of grave concern. Operations were temporarily disrupted as security fears grew among the transport unions. The management expressed their firm confidence that the local police administration would act swiftly to track down the gang network, identify those responsible, and take strict legal action to restore safety.