A 23-year-old bride, Aarti Kumari, was shot during her wedding ceremony in Buxar, Bihar, late Tuesday night, sparking panic among guests and prompting a police manhunt for the suspect.
The incident occurred in Chausa Nagar Panchayat under the Mufassil police station area when the wedding procession arrived from Ballia, Uttar Pradesh. The bride was on stage exchanging garlands with her groom during the traditional Jaimala ritual when a young man reportedly appeared and fired at her at close range.
The bullet struck her in the abdomen, causing chaos at the venue. She was rushed to a private hospital before being referred to Varanasi for advanced treatment, where her condition was said to be critical.
Witnesses said many guests initially mistook the gunshot for firecrackers used in celebrations. One family member recalled that they only realised what had happened when the bride collapsed and the groom hurriedly carried her away for medical attention.
Unconfirmed reports suggest the attacker may be a former acquaintance of the bride, though police have yet to officially identify the suspect.
The Superintendent of Police in Buxar has taken charge of the investigation, with a special team deployed to track down the gunman. Authorities say further inquiries are ongoing.