VARANASI: A
notorious criminal carrying a reward of Rs 50,000 was gunned down in an encounter in
Sidhari police station area of Azamgarh district on late Friday night. The killed criminal was the main accused of the recent
attack on a jail security personnel.
A police constable was injured in exchange of fire, while the accomplice of the deceased criminal managed to flee in the darkness. The police recovered a 9mm pistol, three live and a used cartridges and a motorcycle.
According to reports, acting on a tip off the police started checking drive near Chhatwara turning at night.
The encounter took place near Haluadih petrol pump around 11:30pm when police tried to stop two suspicious looking persons on a motorcycle. They opened fire in which a constable Udaybahan was injured. In retaliatory firing one of the miscreants also sustained gunshot, while his aide succeeded in fleeing from the scene.
The injured constable and the miscreant identified as Mukesh Kumar were rushed to the district hospital, where he succumbed to injury during treatment around 12:00 at night. The constable is under treatment.
The Azamgarh Superintendent of Police
Ajay Kumar Sahani said that Mukesh was the main accused in the attack on a prison guard of Azamgarh district jail Maan Singh Yadav. A manhunt had been launched to nab the absconding criminal, he said.
Two miscreants had raided his house on January 22 night and opened fire on him. He sustained serious injuries and was rushed to the hospital. The DIG Azamgarh range Vijay Bhushan said that the deceased criminal was involved in many cases of crime including murder and loot. His crime records are being checked. He said that a note of appreciation would be given to the Azamgarh police for this commendable work, and a medal would be recommended for the injured constable for showing bravery.