Police Encounter Leads to Arrest of Cattle Smugglers
A dramatic police operation in Sonbhadra district resulted in the arrest of two alleged cattle smugglers following an exchange of fire late Saturday night. The joint team comprising Raipur and Manchi police personnel successfully apprehended the suspects after a tense confrontation that left one smuggler with a bullet injury.
The Nighttime Confrontation
According to official statements from Sonbhadra CO (Sadar) Raj Sonkar, the incident unfolded when police on night patrol attempted to intercept a suspicious pickup van. The vehicle suddenly swerved toward the Khaliyari–Darma road in a desperate attempt to evade capture. The chase took a dramatic turn when the fleeing vehicle became stuck on an unpaved stretch of road, forcing both occupants to abandon it and flee into the nearby jungle.
When police surrounded the suspects in the wooded area, the situation escalated rapidly. One of the accused opened fire at the police team, prompting officers to retaliate in self-defence. The exchange of gunfire resulted in Jiyaul alias Jiyauddin, a 28-year-old from Karma, sustaining a bullet wound to his leg. His accomplice, Rishu Yadav alias Vikas (26) of Ghorawal, was captured after a chase spanning several hundred meters.
Evidence and Confessions
Police conducted a thorough search of the abandoned vehicle and recovered substantial evidence. The seizure included seven cattle being transported illegally, along with a country-made pistol, multiple cartridges, the pickup vehicle used for transportation, and three mobile phones.
During interrogation, the arrested individuals confessed to their involvement in an interstate cattle smuggling operation. They revealed that they had procured the cattle from four individuals identified as Pramod, Shivmangal Yadav, Vinod, and Gorakh Khatik. The suspects were transporting the animals to Bihar when intercepted by police.
The investigation uncovered that the smuggling network operates under the directions of Bhagwan Yadav and Vikas Yadav of Chainpur in Kaimur Bhabua, Bihar. According to police information, this network systematically transports cattle to West Bengal for slaughter purposes, indicating a well-organized interstate smuggling operation.
Aftermath and Medical Care
The injured accused, Jiyaul, received immediate medical attention and was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. His condition is reported as stable. Meanwhile, Rishu Yadav remains in police custody as investigations continue into the broader smuggling network.
This incident highlights the ongoing efforts by Uttar Pradesh police to combat illegal cattle smuggling operations that frequently cross state borders. The successful operation demonstrates improved coordination between police units in tackling organized animal trafficking networks that operate across multiple states.
