Ayodhya, June 8 -- A wanted criminal carrying a cumulative reward of Rs 2 lakh on his arrest was killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) in Ayodhya late Sunday night, police said.
The deceased, identified as Bhanu Pratap Singh alias Bablu Singh, 38, was a resident of Vidhanapar village in Gorakhpur's Belghat area and was wanted in multiple cases of murder, robbery and extortion.
According to police, the STF received information that Bhanu Pratap was fleeing on a motorcycle with an associate. Acting on the tip-off, an STF team intercepted the duo near Emi Ghat in Maharajganj police station area at around 11 pm. Police said the accused opened indiscriminate fire at the STF team with a sten gun when officers attempted to stop him. The STF retaliated, during which Bhanu Pratap sustained bullet injuries. His accomplice managed to escape under the cover of darkness.
Inspector J.P. Rai of the STF informed the Maharajganj police about the encounter and sought assistance. Local police teams rushed to the spot and found that the STF had already neutralised one of the accused.
Police said an ambulance was called, but did not arrive in time. STF personnel then transported the injured accused to the Community Health Centre at Pura Bazar. After initial treatment, doctors referred him to the Government Medical College in Darshannagar, where he died during treatment.
Police described Bhanu Pratap as a hardcore criminal with 41 cases against him.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.