A 41-year-old man accused of involvement in cow theft and slaughter was arrested following a brief encounter with the police in Prayagraj district, Uttar Pradesh, officials said on Monday. The accused, identified as Mohammad Naushad Qureshi, was shot in the leg during retaliatory firing after he allegedly opened fire on a police team during a late-night operation.

The arrest took place on Sunday night in the Barsanda village area under the jurisdiction of Delhupur police station. According to police officials, Qureshi, a resident of Prayagraj district, was apprehended after he attempted to flee and fired at the police when they tried to stop him during a routine check based on prior intelligence.

Additional Superintendent of Police (East) Shailendra Lal said that Delhupur police had earlier registered a case against unidentified persons under the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act. The case was linked to the alleged theft of two cows and the recovery of their remains near a riverbank on the night of January 16. Following the registration of the case, police teams were formed to identify and trace those involved.

Acting on specific inputs, a police team was conducting vehicle checks and surveillance near Barsanda village late on Sunday when they noticed a group of suspects on a motorcycle. When the police signalled them to stop, one of the suspects, later identified as Qureshi, allegedly opened fire at the team in an attempt to escape.

“In the retaliatory firing by the police, the accused sustained a bullet injury to his leg,” Additional SP Lal said. He added that Qureshi was immediately overpowered and taken into custody, while three of his associates managed to flee the spot under the cover of darkness.

Following his arrest, the injured accused was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was admitted for treatment. Doctors said his condition was stable and that he was out of danger.

During a search of Qureshi’s belongings, the police recovered an illegal country-made pistol, live cartridges and a motorcycle, which was allegedly used during the commission of the crime. The firearm and ammunition have been seized, and additional cases under the Arms Act are being added against the accused, officials said.

During preliminary questioning, Qureshi allegedly confessed to his involvement in the theft and slaughter of cattle along with three other men. According to the police, he admitted that the group had stolen two cows from the area and slaughtered them in Barsanda village about three days prior to his arrest. The remains were later found near a riverbank, triggering local outrage and the registration of the initial case.

Police officials said efforts are now underway to identify, trace and arrest the remaining accused who fled during the encounter. Raids are being conducted at possible hideouts, and local informers have been activated to gather more information about their whereabouts.

“The investigation is ongoing, and we are confident that the remaining suspects will be arrested soon,” Additional SP Lal said, adding that the police are also examining whether the accused and his associates were involved in similar incidents in the past.

The incident has heightened security and police vigilance in the area, especially in villages along the riverbank where cattle thefts have been reported earlier. Authorities have appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with the police by sharing any information that could help in the investigation.

The arrest comes amid continued enforcement of laws related to cattle protection in Uttar Pradesh, where cases of cow theft and illegal slaughter are treated as serious offences. Police officials reiterated that strict action would be taken against anyone found violating the law, and that operations against organised cattle theft networks would be intensified in the coming days.