At least 10 passengers suffered injuries when a group of people opened fire on a running train in Bhagalpur district over sharing of seats on Saturday night.

While six of the seriously injured were admitted to Bhagalpur railway hospital, four others were released after first aid. The condition of one of the injured, identified as Abhishek Pandey, is stated to be critical.

The incident took place around 9pm in coach S-1 of the 13134 Varanasi-Sealdah (Upper India) Express. Two youths forcibly entered the coach when the train reached Patna Junction. One of them threatened fellow passengers for not sharing berths.

One of the victims, Ganesh Dutt Pandey said they had reserved 50 berths on the train from Varanasi to Pirpainti in Bhagalpur district.

Around 100 people, armed with bamboo sticks and iron rods, attacked them when the train stopped at Madhusudan station.

The attackers brutally assaulted the people, snatched away their mobiles and opened fire, causing injuries to around 12 passengers. The victims, including Somnath Pandey and Sonelal Mishra, said the members of the escort team turned a blind eye apparently gauging the mood of the attackers, who were local residents and were also carrying lethal weapons.

The youths alighted from the train at Dharhara station after the incident. The victims immediately informed the Government Railway Police (GRP) at Jamalpur but their statements couldn't be recorded as the train had already left for Bhagalpur.

The SHO of Jamalpur GRP Kripa Sagar said the accused involved were stated to be residents of Abhaypur and Madhusudanpur villages. "The identity of the accused are being ascertained on the basis of video clips obtained from the CCTV installed at the railway station," he added.

A formal complaint was lodged with Bhagalpur GRP on the statement of Ganesh Dutt Pandey, a resident of Pirpainti, in Bhagalpur.

The Bhagalpur GRP has transferred the complaint to their Jamalpur counterparts for further action.

The station house officer of Bhagalpur GRP, Sudhir Kumar, said the injured had been admitted to Bhagalpur railway hospital for better treatment. Those released after first aid left for their destinations by another train.