Azamgarh— A notorious criminal carrying a ₹50,000 cash reward was killed in a police encounter near Jokhara Bridge in the Rounapar area on Friday, officials said. His three accomplices, however, managed to escape during the exchange of fire.
According to police, the encounter broke out when joint teams of Lucknow STF, Azamgarh SWAT, and Sidhari police intercepted a group of suspects believed to be involved in a recent snatching case in Sidhari. Acting on an STF tip-off that the criminals were heading toward Rounapar, the teams cordoned off the Jokhara Bridge area.
Superintendent of Police (City) Madhuban Kumar Singh said the criminals opened fire as soon as they spotted the police. The officers retaliated in self-defense, leading to a brief gunfight. One of the suspects was hit by police fire, while three others escaped under the cover of darkness.
The injured man was rushed to CHC Haria and later referred to the district hospital, where doctors declared him dead. He was identified as Wakib alias Wakif, son of Kalam alias Salam, a resident of Phoolpur in Azamgarh district.
Police said Wakib was part of an active gang and had a ₹50,000 bounty on his head. He was wanted in at least 44 criminal cases across Azamgarh, Jaunpur, Kushinagar, and other districts, involving robbery, theft, fraud, and illegal cattle smuggling.
Cartridges and other evidence were recovered from the scene. A massive combing operation has been launched to trace the absconding gang members, officials added.
