MEERUT, June 29 -- The main accused wanted in the murder of a Pilibhit trader Pappu Gupta, was killed in a police encounter near Sheetalpur village in Pilibhit district on Saturday night.

The accused identified as 23-year-old Shivam alias Sarvjeet Singh carried a cumulative bounty of Rs.1.75 lakh.

Pilibhit superintendent of police Sukirti Madhav Mishra said police received a tip-off that Shivam was hiding near Sheetalpur village along with an associate. A police team launched a raid around 10 pm. While attempting to flee, his accomplice escaped, but Shivam, finding himself surrounded, allegedly opened indiscriminate fire on the police team.

In retaliatory firing Shivam sustained two bullet injuries to the chest. He was rushed to a near...