Meerut, July 3 -- A checking drive led to a criminal wanted with a high-profile Rs.19 lakh robbery being killed in an encounter with police, late on Wednesday night, in Badaun district. Two police personnel, including a sub-inspector and a constable, were also injured in the exchange of fire. The encounter took place late on Wednesday evening on the Badaun-Bijnor Highway, nearly five kilometres from the city, under the jurisdiction of the Civil Lines police station. The deceased, identified as Jitendra alias Dhalu, had been absconding since a major dacoity in the Islamnagar police station area on May 19 and carried a reward of Rs.50,000 announced by the inspector general (IG) of Bareilly Range. Sheikhpur police outpost in-charge sub-inspector Neeraj Kumar and constable Avinash sustained injuries during the operation as bullets grazed their hands, police said. Both officials, along with the injured accused, were rushed to the district hospital. Doctors declared Jitendra dead on arrival. According to senior superintendent of police (SSP) Ankita Sharma, police teams were conducting a district-wide checking drive on Wednesday night when they spotted a suspicious man riding a motorcycle in the Civil Lines area. Officers signalled him to stop, but he attempted to flee. As police chased him, the suspect allegedly opened fire at the team. Police retaliated, resulting in the accused being critically injured. During the exchange of fire, the sub-inspector and the constable also sustained gunshot injuries. Police said that he was wanted in more than 12 criminal cases registered against him across multiple districts, including Amroha and Noida. Police recovered a semi-automatic pistol, a large quantity of live cartridges, and several pieces of jewellery from Jitendra's possession. Officials said the jewellery is being identified to determine whether it was part of the loot from previous crimes. The encounter marks a major breakthrough in the investigation into the May 19 dacoity at the residence of farmer Najakat in the Islamnagar police station area. Armed robbers had looted cash and valuables worth approximately Rs.19 lakh during the incident....