Investigation Underway After Aide's Killing
Chandranath Rath, a 42-year-old close aide to prominent BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari, was tragically shot dead by unknown assailants on Wednesday night in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district. The incident occurred barely 48 hours after the declaration of Assembly election results, prompting a high-level police investigation.
Rath was returning to his Madhyamgram residence from Kolkata when his vehicle was intercepted near Doharia, between Doltala and Madhyamgram Chowmatha, around 10:30 PM. His driver, Buddhadeb Bera, also sustained bullet injuries and is currently receiving treatment at a Kolkata hospital. Preliminary reports indicate that between six and ten rounds were fired from close range during the ambush.
Glock 47X Pistols Suspected in Attack
West Bengal Police are investigating the potential use of sophisticated Glock 47X pistols by the attackers. Forensic inputs suggest the assailants may have utilized these high-end firearms, which are generally not associated with ordinary criminals. A senior police officer indicated that investigators are examining whether professional shooters were involved in the assassination.
The attack involved four motorcycles that reportedly intercepted Rath's vehicle in a coordinated manner. Eyewitness accounts suggest the assailants wore helmets and used motorcycles without number plates, further complicating identification efforts. A suspicious vehicle, allegedly used to block Rath's car, has been seized by authorities, though its number plate was found to be fake.
What is the Glock 47X?
The Glock 47X MOS is a full-size 9mm semi-automatic pistol manufactured by Austria-based Glock GmbH. Known for its modularity and reliability, this firearm typically features a threaded 4.99-inch Cerakote-finished barrel, an optics-ready slide, suppressor-height sights, and comes equipped with three 17-round magazines. It uses 9x19mm ammunition and is compatible with Glock Gen 4 and Gen 5 double-stack magazines exceeding 17-round capacity. Glock firearms are widely employed in tactical and law enforcement applications.
Police Efforts Intensify
Multiple police teams have been formed to trace the perpetrators and are meticulously examining CCTV footage from the area. DGP Siddhinath Gupta stated that empty cartridges and live ammunition have been recovered from the crime scene. While the investigation is ongoing, the motive behind the brazen attack remains unclear.