A wanted criminal from Meerut carrying a bounty of ₹1 lakh was killed in a police encounter in Uttar Pradesh’s Shamli district on Thursday evening. The exchange of fire occurred near Bhogi Majra village, leaving one police constable injured. The deceased, identified as Faisal, had multiple criminal cases against him, including charges of murder, robbery, and other violent crimes.

Encounter Near Bhogi Majra

According to officials, the encounter broke out near Bhogi Majra on the Bhogi Majra–Machroli road when the Jhinjhana police team, accompanied by the Special Operations Group (SOG), attempted to intercept Faisal. The police had received intelligence inputs about the movement of the wanted criminal in the area. When the team tried to stop him, Faisal allegedly opened fire at the officers.

Superintendent of Police (SP) Narendra Pratap Singh said, “Faisal fired at the police in an attempt to escape, prompting the team to retaliate. During the exchange of fire, he sustained bullet injuries. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.”

Police officials confirmed that Faisal’s accomplice managed to escape during the encounter. A massive manhunt has been launched to trace and arrest the absconding criminal.

Constable Injured During the Exchange

During the encounter, SOG constable Deepak was hit by a bullet in his leg. He was immediately taken to a nearby hospital for treatment and is said to be out of danger. Police praised his bravery, noting that his quick action helped prevent the suspect from escaping.

Seizure of Weapons and Looted Items

After the encounter, the police recovered a motorcycle, two pistols, and several live cartridges from the site. According to investigators, the motorcycle was stolen just hours before the incident.

SP Narendra Pratap Singh said, “Just a few hours before the encounter, Faisal and his associate robbed a local resident, Jeetram, and his wife in Barnawi village. They stole their motorcycle, ₹3,000 in cash, and a mobile phone. Our teams were already tracking them when the shootout occurred.”

Criminal Background of Faisal

Faisal was a notorious criminal from Meerut and had a long history of violent offenses. Police records show that he was wanted in at least 17 criminal cases, including charges of murder, robbery, extortion, and attempted murder. He was also known for his connections with several criminal gangs operating in western Uttar Pradesh.

SP Singh described him as a sharpshooter affiliated with the infamous Sanjeev gang, which has been involved in multiple high-profile crimes in the region. “He was a dangerous criminal who had been terrorizing the area. His elimination is a major success for the police,” Singh said.

A cash reward of ₹1 lakh had been announced earlier for information leading to Faisal’s arrest. Police sources said he had been evading arrest for months, frequently changing hideouts and using stolen vehicles to move around.

Connection to Earlier Encounters

Officials also revealed that Faisal’s associate, Shahrukh Pathan, was killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) about one and a half months ago. The duo had been involved in several robberies and attacks on civilians and police personnel. Their operations primarily focused on highway robberies and armed thefts across the districts of Shamli, Meerut, and Muzaffarnagar.

Following Shahrukh’s death, Faisal allegedly continued to lead the gang’s activities until Thursday’s encounter brought his crime spree to an end.

Police Statement and Aftermath

The encounter has been hailed as a major breakthrough in curbing organized crime in the western part of the state. SP Narendra Pratap Singh stated that efforts are underway to trace the remaining members of Faisal’s gang. “The operation will continue until all his associates are arrested or neutralized. We are determined to maintain law and order and ensure that no criminal can escape justice,” he said.

Local residents of Bhogi Majra and nearby villages have expressed relief following the operation, saying the area had witnessed several incidents of robbery and intimidation linked to Faisal’s gang in recent months.

The police have registered a formal report on the encounter, and the body of the deceased has been sent for post-mortem examination. The incident will also be reviewed according to standard operating procedures for police encounters in the state.

A Continuing Crackdown on Crime in Western UP

This encounter is part of the Uttar Pradesh Police’s ongoing crackdown on organized crime and wanted offenders. Over the past few years, the state police, under the supervision of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, have intensified operations against criminals with bounties, using specialized units like the SOG and STF to target repeat offenders.

Police data indicate that hundreds of criminals have been arrested or neutralized in similar encounters in the last few years, significantly reducing incidents of dacoity and extortion in the region. Authorities claim these operations have helped restore public confidence in law enforcement and brought down crime rates in several districts.

Conclusion

The death of Faisal marks the end of a prolonged pursuit of one of western Uttar Pradesh’s most wanted criminals. With his associate already eliminated and a reward on his head, Faisal’s encounter underscores the police’s determination to dismantle gang networks operating in the state. While questions around the nature of police encounters often stir public debate, officials maintain that Thursday’s operation was a lawful response to an armed criminal attack.

For now, the successful operation has brought a measure of peace to Bhogi Majra and surrounding villages, even as the police continue their manhunt for Faisal’s absconding accomplice and move forward with efforts to eliminate organized criminal activity in the region.