2 attackers who fired on Himachal Congress ex-MLA Bambar caught on CCTV; brother blames chitta mafia

Sunil Chadha
Bilaspur: A day after former Himachal Pradesh Congress MLA Bambar Thakur was shot at on Friday (March 14, 2025) while celebrating Holi with his supporters in Bilaspur, the police are yet to arrest the attackers.

The attackers, who remain at large, opened fire indiscriminately, injuring Bambar Thakur, his personal security officer (PSO) and a supporter.

The incident was caught on CCTV cameras, which reportedly shows four assailants at the scene, with one of them firing shots. Despite the footage, the attackers have not been apprehended yet.

Bambar Thakur sustains three bullet wounds

According to eyewitnesses, 10 to 12 rounds were fired during the attack at Bambar Thakur’s government-allotted residence in Bilaspur’s Chandra sector.

Bambar Thakur sustained three bullet wounds, while his PSO, Sanjeev, was also hit. A supporter, Vishal, suffered injuries from bullet fragments.

Bambar Thakur was immediately rushed to Bilaspur hospital for first aid before being referred to Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla. His PSO was shifted to AIIMS-Bilaspur for treatment.

Brother sees chitta mafia’s hand behind attack

Speaking to the media, Bambar Thakur’s brother Devraj revealed that four persons arrived at the residence when visitors were coming to meet the former MLA. Two of them opened fire, forcing Bambar Thakur to take cover behind a vehicle to save himself.

Devraj suggested that the attack might be linked to Bambar Thakur’s tough stance against chitta mafia and other drug cartels in the region.

“He had spoken out against the drug menace. This could be a reason for the attack. Some of the people involved in last year’s assault on him might also be behind this. There could be bigger players involved,” he alleged.

Second attack on Bambar Thakur in a year

This is not the first time Bambar Thakur has been targeted. A year ago, he was attacked, resulting in a broken tooth. The prime accused in that incident was later shot dead.

Bambar Thakur’s son Ishaan Singh took to social media, posting, “My father has been shot at.”
The police have registered a case and launched an investigation, but the attackers remain at large, raising concerns over security lapses and the growing threat to political leaders in the state.