Meerut, May 25 -- A late-night police encounter in the Badgaon police station area of Saharanpur resulted in the arrest of a wanted criminal carrying a reward of Rs 25,000. The accused allegedly opened fire on a police team while attempting to escape and sustained a bullet injury in the retaliatory firing, said the police officials. He was later admitted to a hospital for treatment. According to police officials, the encounter took place on Saturday night after the Badgaon police received specific intelligence regarding the movement of the accused, identified as Gayyur, a resident of Sonchida village under Nagal police station limits. Officials said the accused was wanted in multiple criminal cases registered across Badgaon, Nagal, and nearby police stations. Station house officer Narendra Kumar Bhadana said the police received a tip-off that the accused would pass through the service road near the Gangnahar bridge area. Acting swiftly, the police team laid a trap and intensified surveillance. At around 11:30 pm, police spotted a suspicious man riding a motorcycle approaching the barricaded area. Officials said that when the suspect was signaled to stop, he attempted to flee by turning his motorcycle around. During the chase, the accused allegedly fired at the police team. The accused sustained a bullet injury in his leg during the police firing. He lost control of the motorcycle and fell onto the road, after which the police team overpowered and arrested him on the spot. During the search operation, police recovered a country-made pistol, one empty cartridge, three live cartridges, and a stolen motorcycle from the possession of the accused. He was initially provided medical aid before being shifted to the hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment. During preliminary interrogation, police reportedly discovered that the accused was associated with an organised criminal gang operating in the region. Circle officer Abhitesh Singh said that further interrogation of the accused is underway and police are now working to identify other members of the gang and uncover the wider criminal network linked to him....