In a swift law enforcement action near the interstate border of Haryana and Rajasthan, a wanted cow smuggler was injured during a police encounter in Mathura on Saturday morning. The accused, identified as Siraj Jabbar Khan Ali Meo, a resident of Bahin Palwal, has been on the police radar since 2016 and carried a reward of ₹25,000 for information leading to his arrest. Authorities described the incident as a coordinated response to actionable intelligence regarding the suspect’s presence in the area.

According to DSP Bhushan Verma, the police team received information early Saturday morning that the wanted smuggler was operating in the Kosi area, near Chowki Kamar along the Haryana-Rajasthan border. “At approximately 9 am, our team moved to intercept the individual based on verified intelligence. During the attempted apprehension, the suspect opened fire at the police,” DSP Verma said. He added that the officers returned fire in self-defense, resulting in the suspect sustaining a leg injury.

The police recovered a motorcycle, a pistol, and two live cartridges from the site. DSP Verma confirmed that the accused was immediately referred to the district hospital for treatment. “Upon interrogation, he admitted involvement in cow smuggling activities dating back to 2016. The recovery of the firearm and motorcycle underscores the seriousness of his criminal activities,” the DSP stated.

Siraj Jabbar Khan Ali Meo had been a high-priority target for local authorities due to his involvement in organized cow smuggling networks operating across Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Rajasthan. His arrest and subsequent injury in the encounter are expected to disrupt ongoing smuggling operations in the region. The ₹25,000 reward associated with his capture reflects the authorities’ commitment to curbing this illegal trade.

This operation in Mathura is part of a broader effort by security forces to strengthen border surveillance and prevent criminal activities in border districts. In Punjab, the Border Security Force (BSF), in coordination with the state police, has conducted a series of intelligence-driven operations targeting smugglers and armed criminals along sensitive border areas.

On November 1, the BSF and Punjab Police apprehended a smuggler in Gurdaspur near Dana Mandi, Dera Baba Nanak. The accused, a resident of Kahlanwali village, was found in possession of a pistol loaded with six live rounds. In a separate operation at village Maboke in Firozpur, credible intelligence indicated that miscreants were planning to execute criminal activities. Rapid action by the BSF personnel foiled the plot, resulting in the recovery of 16 live rounds and a kirpan (sword) from the site.

These incidents highlight the coordinated approach of police and paramilitary forces in tackling cross-border smuggling and armed criminal networks in northern India. Law enforcement agencies have emphasized the use of real-time intelligence and joint operations to preempt criminal activities, particularly those with links to organized smuggling operations.

Local residents in the Mathura region expressed relief at the police action, acknowledging the risks posed by long-standing criminal elements. Cow smuggling has been a persistent challenge in northern India, not only due to its illegal and economic implications but also because of the potential for violence associated with these operations. Authorities assert that eliminating the presence of such high-risk criminals is crucial for maintaining law and order along sensitive border areas.

Following the encounter, police confirmed that the suspect’s leg injury is stable, and he is under medical supervision at the district hospital. A formal FIR is being processed against him, and further investigation is underway to identify any accomplices or networks associated with his activities. The Mathura police have also issued advisories urging local residents to report any suspicious movements of individuals or vehicles, reinforcing community participation in curbing smuggling operations.

DSP Verma concluded that the Mathura police, in collaboration with intelligence agencies, will continue to monitor the border and surrounding regions to ensure that criminal networks cannot regroup or operate with impunity. “This encounter serves as a reminder that illegal activities, including cow smuggling and associated armed threats, will not be tolerated. The safety of citizens and the integrity of law enforcement operations remain our top priority,” he said.

With multiple cross-border operations already yielding arrests and confiscations in Haryana, Punjab, and now Uttar Pradesh, authorities remain vigilant, highlighting the importance of proactive policing and intelligence-sharing between states to disrupt criminal activities along border areas.