Bahraich, May 18 -- A prime accused arrested for the brutal strangulation and murder of a seven-year-old girl was shot in the leg during a police encounter early Monday morning. The shootout occurred after the accused briefly escaped custody and opened fire on a security team while attempting to flee to Nepal, officials confirmed.

The incident unfolded when a police team escorted the accused, identified as Arun, to a location within the Khairighat police station limits to recover evidence related to the minor's murder.

"Arun, the prime accused in the strangulation murder of a seven-year-old girl, managed to escape from police custody after finding an opportunity during the recovery process," Bahraich Superintendent of Police (SP) Vishwa...