PATNA, July 27 -- Nine policemen were injured in two separate incidents of mob violence in Bihar, officials said on Saturday. In Bhagalpur's Pirpainti area, three sub-inspectors (SIs) and two constables were injured when they arrived to investigate an alleged abduction case. A confrontation between the police and locals escalated into violence, with over 18 rounds of firing exchanged. The injured SIs were identified as SI Devguru Dubey, SI Shatrughan Kumar (Kahalgaon police station), and NTPC station in-charge SI Sushil Kumar. Bhagalpur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Hridaykant said the police had received information about a kidnapping involving a ransom demand of Rs.40 lakh. "After reaching the village, the police team attempted to intercept Rajesh Yadav, who was standing at the village entrance. A shot was fired at him, prompting him to hurl a stone in retaliation. The noise drew a crowd of villagers, who, unable to recognise the plainclothes officers in a private vehicle, mistook them for criminals and attacked," he said. According to police, the abduction incident was linked to a dispute over the theft of a Hyva vehicle. Rajesh Yadav, a resident of Lakkarakol village, had recently returned from Vaishno Devi. While travelling from Naugachia station to Sabour, he reportedly spotted Vijay Bhagat-accused of stealing the vehicle. Rajesh brought Vijay to the village for a discussion, during which Vijay agreed to return the money. However, Vijay later called his family and claimed he had been kidnapped. The police acted on this information and were attacked upon arrival. In another incident in Vaishali district, a four-member excise department team was attacked in Paharpur village under Mahnar police station limits. The team, led by Inspector Kumari Pallavi, had gone to the area after receiving information about a fight between two groups. During the visit, the team detained three people found in an intoxicated state. Enraged by the action, a group of locals pelted stones at the officers and damaged their vehicle. Those injured in the attack were identified as Inspector Pallavi, home guard jawan Dev Nath Singh, vehicle driver Chandan Kumar, and Sujit Kumar. Based on Singh's statement, an FIR has been registered against 30 people....