LUCKNOW, June 8 -- Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) on Sunday night gunned down a notorious criminal during an encounter in Ayodhya district, police officials said. Confirming it, Amitabh Yash, ADG (law and order), on Monday said contract killer Bhanu Pratap Singh alias Bablu Singh, 38, carried a cumulative reward of Rs.1.70 lakh on his arrest.

The encounter took place around 11 pm near Ami Ghat under Maharajganj police station after STF's Prayagraj unit received intelligence that Bhanu and an aide were travelling on a motorcycle.

According to police, the STF team attempted to intercept the duo, but Bhanu allegedly opened indiscriminate fire with an automatic weapon. STF personnel retaliated, injuring him in the exchange of fire. ...