Meerut: Three individuals were arrested in the Sardhana area of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, following an encounter with local police on Sunday night. Authorities recovered one quintal of beef, a live bovine, and various tools allegedly used for slaughter from the suspects. The arrests were made after a police patrol team received a tip-off regarding illegal activities in a forested area near Nagla Order village, located along the Ganga Canal embankment.
According to an official statement, the suspects opened fire on the police team as they attempted to cordon off the area, leading to a retaliatory exchange in self-defence. One of the accused, identified as Monish, sustained injuries during the shootout and was subsequently hospitalized at the Sardhana Community Health Centre. Two other accomplices, Dilshad (alias ‘Dillu’) and Sartaj (alias ‘Dhamaka’), were apprehended at the scene, while two to three others managed to escape into the dense forest under the cover of darkness.
In addition to the beef and the animal, police seized illegal firearms, live cartridges, and a vehicle from the site. A formal case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for attempt to murder and common intent, as well as under the Arms Act and the Uttar Pradesh Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act. A massive search operation is currently underway to track down and arrest the remaining suspects involved in the incident.
