Patna, July 21: Two shocking incidents of violent crime were reported in Bihar on Monday, with a key witness in a murder case shot dead in Jehanabad and a retired bank employee along with his wife found murdered in their Muzaffarpur residence. Police have launched separate investigations into both cases.

Police have launched separate investigations into both cases.

A man was shot dead by armed assailants near Dakra Mor under the Makhdumpur police station area of Jehanabad district. The deceased has been identified as Vijay Yadav, a resident of Parsauna village.

According to police, Vijay Yadav was returning home with his son after getting wheat milled when more than a dozen motorcycle-borne criminals intercepted them. The attackers allegedly first tried to seize his son, who managed to escape, before opening fire on Vijay Yadav.

He died on the spot after sustaining multiple gunshot wounds, while the assailants fled. The victim’s son, Amarnath Yadav, alleged that his father was murdered to prevent him from testifying in court.

According to the family, Vijay Yadav was the principal witness in the murder case of his elder son and was scheduled to depose before the court on August 6. They claim the accused eliminated him to influence the ongoing trial.

Police reached the scene soon after the incident, recovered the body, and sent it to Sadar Hospital, Jehanabad, for post-mortem examination. They said all possible angles, including the alleged witness-related motive, are being examined, while raids are underway to arrest those involved.

In a separate incident, a retired Punjab National Bank (PNB) cashier, Ashok Kunwar, and his wife Neelam Devi were found murdered inside their residence in Muzaffarpur late Monday evening.

The case came to light after the couple’s son, Dr. Nikhil Kumar, noticed suspicious activity through CCTV cameras connected to his mobile phone. The footage reportedly showed two unidentified men entering the premises and captured his mother running towards the rooftop.

When repeated calls to his parents went unanswered, he alerted a neighbour, who discovered the bodies and informed the police.

Police said Ashok Kunwar’s body was found in a bedroom on the second floor with multiple stab injuries, particularly on his back. Neelam Devi’s body was recovered from a room on the third floor. Police found her hands and feet tied with rope and adhesive tape covering her mouth.

Preliminary findings indicate that she may have died due to strangulation. A forensic team and dog squad examined the crime scene. Investigators recovered several items, including gloves, adhesive tape, and a bag, which have been seized for forensic examination.

Muzaffarpur Senior Superintendent of Police Kantesh Kumar Mishra said preliminary evidence suggests the murders occurred on Monday evening. CCTV footage has revealed two suspects, whose identities are being established.

Police also plan to question the three tenants residing in the building as part of the investigation. Officials said the exact cause of death and sequence of events will be confirmed after the post-mortem reports and forensic analysis.

Washington, July 21: The US Central Command (CENTCOM) has carried out another round of strikes against Iran, targeting military facilities and capabilities as Washington seeks to reduce Tehran’s ability to threaten commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a post on X, CENTCOM said: “U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) completed another round of strikes against Iran at 9 p.m. ET, July 20. US forces struck Iranian military command centres, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and air defence systems to degrade Iran’s ability to continue attacking commercial vessels flowing through the Strait of Hormuz.”

According to CENTCOM, commercial vessel transits through the vital international maritime corridor continue. “Since early May, CENTCOM forces have helped facilitate the transit of approximately 900 commercial vessels and 450 million barrels of crude oil.”

US forces remained prepared to take further action against Iran, accusing Tehran of carrying out what it described as unwarranted aggression against civilian mariners seeking to transit the Strait of Hormuz freely and openly.

CENTCOM said the strikes were aimed at weakening Iran’s military infrastructure linked to attacks on maritime traffic in the strategically important waterway. The Strait of Hormuz is a key global energy route through which a significant volume of international oil shipments passes.

The latest military action comes amid heightened tensions across the Middle East, with concerns growing over possible further escalation and threats to regional security.

Meanwhile, the US Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs issued a worldwide caution notice, warning American citizens about the complex security environment.

In a post on X, the department said: “Worldwide Caution: Due to heightened tensions in the Middle East, the security environment remains complex with the potential for unforeseen escalation.”

It added: “Americans currently in the Middle East should exercise caution and heightened vigilance and should be prepared for possible flight cancellations, periodic airspace closures, and potential travel disruptions. Please monitor embassy and consular security alerts, local authorities, and the news for breaking developments.”

The advisory further warned that US diplomatic facilities and American interests could face threats.

“U.S. diplomatic facilities, including outside the Middle East, have been targeted. Iran and groups supportive of Iran may target other U.S. interests overseas or at locations associated with the United States and Americans throughout the world,” the department said.

The State Department urged US citizens to stay informed through official channels and security alerts, saying: “Enroll at http://step.state.gov to receive the latest security alerts and follow the “U.S. Department of State – Security Updates for U.S. Citizens” channel on WhatsApp or @TravelGov on X.”

The department also advised travellers to review official travel advisories and destination-specific information before making plans amid the uncertain security situation.

New Delhi, July 21: Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Tuesday said that his meeting with the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) members was “fine”.

Two representatives of the CJP met Nadda at his residence on Monday. They submitted a written memorandum outlining the group’s three key demands after holding detailed discussions earlier in the day.

When asked about his talks with the CJP members, Nadda, while arriving for the NDA’s ‘Mangal Milan’ programme, said, “It went well. It (a meeting) always goes well.” However, he did not comment on the “assurances” given to the protestors.

According to government sources, the first meeting took place at around 11:50 a.m., when the CJP delegation presented its demands verbally. Nadda asked the representatives to submit them in writing. At around 4 p.m., the delegation returned and handed over a written memorandum detailing their demands.

The CJP delegation, represented by spokespersons Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, demanded the release of social activist Sonam Wangchuk without any restrictions on his movement, the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, and Rs 1 crore compensation for the families of NEET aspirants who allegedly died by suicide following the NEET 2026 paper leak controversy.

Government sources said that no assurances were given by Nadda on any of the three demands during the meeting. However, the Union Minister appealed to the protesters to withdraw their month-long sit-in at Jantar Mantar and cooperate with the administration in restoring normalcy in the high-security area near Parliament.

Following the meeting, Nadda took to X and said the discussions were held in a cordial atmosphere and noted that the CJP itself had approached the government seeking talks. He confirmed that the delegation submitted its written petition at around 4 p.m. after extensive discussions that began earlier in the day.

Meanwhile, the demonstrators stayed at Jantar Mantar on Tuesday morning, persistently continuing their protest the day after violent confrontations occurred between them and security forces in Delhi during the ‘Sansad Chalo’ March.

After police dismantled the stage and tents from Jantar Mantar, the protesters reclaimed the area. Following a call from the CJP for the protest to persist, demonstrators began to arrive at Jantar Mantar early Tuesday. A significant presence of police and RAF personnel remained deployed at the location.

The clashes erupted on Monday as thousands of supporters of the CJP and students marched from Jantar Mantar towards Parliament, demanding the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over recurring examination irregularities, including the NEET-UG paper leaks.

The Delhi Police have intensified their investigation into the violence that erupted on Monday, and officials are relying extensively on video evidence to identify those involved in the unrest.

Investigators are examining more than 250 videos, including mobile phone recordings, CCTV footage, drone camera visuals and footage captured through police body-worn cameras, to trace the individuals allegedly responsible for the violence.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) at the Connaught Place police station in connection with the commotion and vandalism reported in the area.