Notorious criminal shot in Bahraich police encounter, accomplice flees

A notorious criminal was injured in a late-night encounter between police and criminals in Bahraich district, while his accomplice managed to escape under the cover of darkness.

The incident took place late at night on the Matera-Shankarpur Nanpara road near Bilwa canal turn when a joint team of Crime Branch SWAT and Matera police station confronted the criminals. The police team had been searching for criminals who had been active in the Nanpara and Matera areas in recent days, carrying out robbery incidents and evading police after committing the crimes.

Upon spotting the police, the criminals opened life-threatening fire. In retaliatory action, police fired in self-defense, and their bullet hit the leg of notorious criminal Fulli alias Toofan alias Rakeeb, who collapsed on the spot and was apprehended. His accomplice Aslam took advantage of the darkness and fled from the scene along with a motorcycle.

The injured criminal has more than half a dozen serious cases registered against him. Two days earlier, on 1 September, these same criminals had looted a mangalsutra from a woman named Gangotri near Gulalpurwa toll plaza.

Police have recovered the looted mangalsutra, a stolen Honda Shine motorcycle, and a 315 bore pistol from the possession of the accused. The injured criminal has been sent to a nearby hospital for treatment, and combing operations are underway to arrest the absconding criminal Aslam.