Uttar Pradesh Police are back in the spotlight after two near-simultaneous operations in different districts — Ghaziabad and Azamgarh — both ending with wanted criminals injured by police fire and taken into custody. One was a 50,000-rupee reward fugitive tied to a sensational kidnapping-and-murder case; the other was the prime accused in the cold-blooded killing of a 75-year-old man.
Azamgarh: A 15-Year Feud Ends in Bloodshed
In the Shahar Kotwali area of Azamgarh, police came face to face with Abhay, the main accused in a murder case. As a night-patrol team closed in on him, the suspect opened fire without warning. The police returned fire, leaving Abhay wounded, and then overpowered and detained him.
According to police, the crime had deep roots. Abhay and the victim's side had been locked in enmity for the past 15 years, and to settle that score he had brutally slit the throat of the 75-year-old man, killing him.
Ghaziabad: Bounty Fugitive Shot in Both Legs After Swift Chase
The second operation took place in the Loni police station area of Ghaziabad, where officers cornered Gaurav Nagar, who carried a reward of 50,000 rupees on his head. In the exchange of fire, the criminal was hit in both legs and had to be admitted to hospital in an injured state. He had long been on the run, wanted in a sensational kidnapping and murder case.
The sequence began on June 13, when Loni police received a tip-off from an informer that Gaurav Nagar — wanted in the May 30 abduction of Omkar Singh, a resident of village Ganauli — was heading from Banthla towards Chirodi. Acting on the lead, police launched a checking drive near the canal on the Banthla–Chirodi road. Soon, a white Swift car was spotted approaching along the route.
Police signalled the driver to stop, but instead he sped up and tried to flee. During the chase, the car crashed into a tree by the roadside. The accused then jumped out and fired at the police team as he attempted to escape. Acting in self-defence, the police returned fire, hitting him in both legs. Wounded, he was seized and sent to hospital for treatment.
Confession and Recoveries During Questioning
Under interrogation, the accused identified himself as Gaurav. He admitted that, along with his associates, he had kidnapped Omkar Singh of Ghaziabad. Omkar was then murdered and his body dumped in the Ganganagar area on Meerut Road.
Police recovered a Swift car, a 32-bore pistol, two live cartridges and two empty cartridges from the accused. Officials said Gaurav Nagar already faces about half a dozen criminal cases registered against him across the NCR region. ACP Loni Siddharth Gautam said further legal action is under way.
