Ghaziabad police shoot criminal in encounter, accomplice escapes

Ghaziabad police exchanged fire with two criminals riding a scooter near Sihani Gate police station late on Tuesday, leaving one suspect injured and his accomplice on the run. The injured criminal, identified as Shadab, was shot during the encounter and has been taken into custody, while his associate Sameer managed to escape from the scene.

Police had received specific intelligence that two criminals were riding a scooter in the area, allegedly planning to commit a crime. Acting on the tip-off, officers from Sihani Gate police station immediately launched a vehicle checking drive in the locality to intercept the suspects. During the operation, police spotted two men on a scooter matching the description provided in the intelligence input.

When officers signaled the scooter-borne duo to stop for checking, the suspects opened fire at the police team instead of complying. In retaliatory firing, police shot Shadab, who was injured in the exchange. His accomplice Sameer, however, took advantage of the confusion and fled the scene before he could be apprehended by the police personnel.

Police have recovered a scooter, a country-made pistol, and live cartridges from Shadab's possession. The seized items have been sent for forensic examination as part of the investigation. Meanwhile, police have launched an intensive combing operation across Ghaziabad and adjoining areas to track down and arrest the absconding criminal Sameer. Multiple teams have been deployed to locate him, and police are also scanning CCTV footage from the area to trace his escape route. Shadab is currently receiving medical treatment under police custody and will be interrogated once his condition stabilizes.