The AK-47 Officer Whose Name Strikes Fear in Criminals: The Story of ‘The Daring Cop’ Kundan Krishnan

In Bihar, where hardened criminals once claimed fear as their strongest weapon, one police officer emerged as fear itself. An officer whose presence alone made notorious criminals tremble, whose resolve was as firm as steel, and who never hesitated to respond to bullets with bullets. That officer is IPS Kundan Krishnan, recently promoted to the rank of Director General (DG)—a rise earned through courage, grit, and an uncompromising stand against crime.

Roots in Nalanda, Rise Through Merit

Despite a name that sounds southern, Kundan Krishnan is a native of Nalanda district in Bihar, born on March 8, 1969. He cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 1993 and joined the Indian Police Service in 1994, allotted the Bihar cadre. From the very beginning, his style of policing sent a strong message—crime would not be tolerated.

When Nitish Kumar assumed office as Chief Minister in 2005, Kundan Krishnan was among the officers who played a decisive role in restoring law and order in a state long plagued by criminal dominance.

Face-to-Face With Rioting Prisoners, AK-47 in Hand

One of the most defining moments of his career came in 2002, during the Lalu-Rabri regime, when a massive riot broke out inside Chhapra Jail. Over 1,200 prisoners took control of the jail, and senior officials hesitated to enter.

It was then that Kundan Krishnan walked in—AK-47 in hand, brows furrowed, fearless. What followed resembled an action film: five armed inmates bent on killing policemen were neutralized. Despite suffering a fractured hand, Krishnan did not drop his weapon. In a dramatic turn, hundreds of dangerous prisoners surrendered before a single officer.

Arresting a Powerful Strongman

In 2006, while serving as SP City, Patna, Krishnan took on another formidable challenge. Former MP and strongman Anand Mohan, brought to Dehradun from Saharsa Jail for a court appearance, illegally stayed at a Patna hotel instead of returning to jail.

Acting on intelligence, Krishnan personally led a raid near the railway station. A confrontation broke out with supporters, and reports suggest Anand Mohan himself came face-to-face with the officer. Ultimately, Kundan Krishnan ensured the law prevailed, sending the powerful politician back to jail.

Law and Order During President’s Rule

During President’s Rule in 2005, Krishnan, then SP Patna, unleashed a crackdown that reshaped Bihar’s crime landscape. So intense was the fear of police action that many criminals either went underground overnight or fled the state altogether. Streets once dominated by gangsters fell silent.

Cracking the High-Profile Darbhanga Engineers’ Murder Case

In 2015, two engineers working on a government road project in Benipur, Darbhanga, were gunned down with AK-56 rifles. The prime accused, Mukesh Pathak, fled to Nepal and frequently changed locations between Nepal and Gujarat.

Using sharp intelligence and strategic pressure, Kundan Krishnan’s leadership led the STF to capture Pathak, bringing a major breakthrough in a case that had shocked the state.

Role in the Kolkata RG Kar Medical College Case

While on central deputation as ADG, CISF, Kundan Krishnan was entrusted with security responsibilities at RG Kar Medical College, Kolkata, following Supreme Court directions during the high-profile rape case. His appointment reflected institutional trust in his ability to handle sensitive and volatile situations.

A Reputation Built on Fearlessness

These are only highlights of a career filled with high-risk operations and decisive action. Time and again, Kundan Krishnan’s policing restored public confidence and reinforced the rule of law.

Now back in his home cadre Bihar and elevated to the post of Director General, expectations are high. In a state where crime once dictated terms, the rise of “The Daring Cop” signals a renewed resolve—that law will always stand taller than fear.