India, June 22 -- A 45-year-old man carrying a reward and facing 24 serious criminal cases was killed in an encounter with the Sonepat police on Monday morning, police said.

A head constable was injured in the exchange of fire and is undergoing treatment at Bhagat Phool Singh Government Medical College in Khanpur Kalan.

The criminal, Gopal of Atayal village, had been convicted in two murder cases and sentenced to life imprisonment. He had recently jumped parole. His criminal record included murders, attempted murders, robberies, and firings.

According to police commissioner Mamta Singh, police received a tip-off around 5.30am that Gopal was heading toward Atayal village to murder a local resident with whom he had a long-standing rivalr...