Notorious Criminal Killed in Ayodhya Encounter with STF
Criminal Encounter in Ayodhya
File image of the wanted criminal Bhanu Pratap Singh alias Bablu(Photo: IANS)
Ayodhya, June 8: A wanted criminal, Bhanu Pratap Singh, also known as Bablu, was shot dead during an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) in Ayodhya, as reported by officials on Monday.
Singh, a resident of Vidhanapar village in Gorakhpur district, was cornered by the STF near the Aimi Ghat bridge in the Maharajganj area around 11 p.m. on Sunday while attempting to escape on a motorcycle. Officials stated that he fired at the STF team, which led to a retaliatory response, resulting in him suffering severe injuries.
Following the encounter, Singh was taken to a hospital for medical attention but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
Authorities revealed that Singh had around 40 serious criminal cases filed against him in various districts of Uttar Pradesh. He had been evading capture for an extended period, with multiple police units offering rewards for his arrest: Rs 1 lakh from Azamgarh police, Rs 50,000 from Ambedkarnagar police, Rs 25,000 from Gorakhpur police, and Rs 15,000 from Basti police.
In a separate incident, a joint operation by the police and the Special Operations Group (SOG) in Sitapur led to the arrest of two suspected thieves, Yogendra Chauhan and Dharmraj, who were found with stolen goods valued at approximately Rs 77 lakh, including luxury vehicles like an Audi and a Ciaz.
According to Additional Superintendent of Police (South) Durgesh Kumar Singh, Chauhan has a history of criminal activity and is wanted in a case at the Mahmudabad police station. He has several serious charges against him from various police stations in the area.
During questioning, the suspects reportedly confessed to a burglary in Albada village 15-20 days prior, where they stole jewelry, and admitted to another theft in Manva village involving Rs 15,000 in cash and anklets. They were en route to Lucknow to sell the remaining stolen jewelry when they were caught. Police noted that they used high-end vehicles to facilitate their crimes.