Police in Kaushambi district arrested a wanted cattle smuggler and his two key associates after a dramatic early morning encounter on Monday. The incident unfolded in the Pateria Bagh area, where a joint team of Special Operations Group (SOG) and Kokhraj police acted on a crucial tip-off.
Police Action Based on Specific Intelligence
A joint police team received reliable information about the movement of an inter-district cattle smuggling gang. Acting swiftly, officers cordoned off the Pateria Bagh area to intercept the criminals. The police had been monitoring this gang's activities for some time.
Exchange of Fire During Confrontation
When police challenged the gang members, the criminals responded by opening fire. Police officers returned fire in self-defense. During this exchange, one criminal sustained injuries.
The injured smuggler was identified as Manoj Kumar, also known as Pulli, from Khaga in Fatehpur district. Police immediately provided medical assistance and admitted him to the district hospital for treatment. His condition is reported to be stable under police supervision.
Key Associates Also Taken Into Custody
Along with Manoj Kumar, police arrested two other key members of the smuggling operation. The arrested associates include Ajay Chaubey from Bihar and another individual known as Ajmeri from Kokhraj. All three suspects are now in police custody facing multiple charges.
Significant Recoveries from the Arrest
Police made several important recoveries from the arrested individuals. The seized items include:
- A motorcycle without registration documents
- One country-made pistol of 0.315 bore
- Two used cartridges and four live cartridges
- Three mobile phones
- Cash amounting to Rs 900
These recoveries provide crucial evidence about the gang's operations and criminal activities.
Extensive Criminal Backgrounds Revealed
Police investigations revealed that all three arrested individuals have substantial criminal histories. Ajmeri faces as many as 13 pending criminal cases registered against him. Both Ajay Chaubey and Manoj Kumar were wanted in connection with five criminal cases each.
These cases are registered at different police stations across the state, indicating the gang's widespread criminal operations. The arrests represent a significant breakthrough for law enforcement agencies combating organized crime in the region.
The successful operation demonstrates effective coordination between different police units. It also highlights how timely intelligence can lead to the apprehension of dangerous criminals. Police officials have indicated that further investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the gang's smuggling network.
