Uttar Pradesh: Four criminals killed in an encounter between UP STF and Mustafa gang members in Shamli

Ravi Singh

The Meerut unit of the Special Task Force received a tip-off last night about a gang of criminals planning to commit a dacoity in the Jhinjhana area of Shamli. Acting on this tip-off, the STF reached the spot near Udpur brick kiln and tried to intercept a Brezza car carrying the suspects.

According to STF sources, the criminals opened fire on the team when they were asked to stop. The criminals and the police exchanged fierce gunfire. Among those shot was Arshad, a member of the Mukim and Mustafa alias Kagga gang from Gangoh, Saharanpur. Arshad, who had a bounty of ₹1 lakh on his head, died on the spot.

Three other robbers—Manjeet from Sonipat, Satish from Madhuban in Haryana, and another unknown robber—were killed in the shootout.

DIG Ajay Sahni and SP Shamli Ramsevak Gautam were present at the spot immediately after the incident had taken place. Arms such as pistols and country-made weapons were recovered from the robbers.

Inspector Sunil Kumar suffered gunshot injuries in crossfire during this encounter and was admitted to hospital in Gurugram. It is learnt the STF operations have increased following this to suppress such criminal activities here. Organised crime in a way got the biggest jolt with this successful encounter, with further probe now on.