Four Cow Slaughter Accused Apprehended After Police Encounter in Azamgarh
In a dramatic early morning operation, four individuals accused of cow slaughter were arrested following an exchange of fire with Mehnajpur police in Azamgarh district on Thursday. The incident, which unfolded around 2:30 AM, resulted in three of the accused sustaining bullet injuries to their legs during the encounter.
Police Patrol Leads to Confrontation
Azamgarh CO (Lalganj) Bhupesh Kumar Pandey detailed that Mehnajpur police officers, engaged in routine night patrolling, received an alert regarding suspicious movement of criminals along the Manikpur-Sidhauna road. Acting swiftly, the police team cordoned off the area and attempted to intercept the suspects.
When the police approached, the accused opened fire in a desperate bid to escape. The officers retaliated in self-defense, leading to three of the suspects—Mohit alias Moheed alias Mufeed (22) of Jaunpur, Aman God (22), and Eklaq alias Patarka (24) of Azamgarh—suffering bullet wounds in their legs.
Arrests and Recovery of Evidence
All four accused were subsequently arrested. The fourth accomplice was identified as Mobin alias Kalam alias Gaga (40). Following the encounter, police recovered two country-made pistols and several cartridges from the scene. The injured individuals were promptly transported to the district hospital for medical treatment.
Police investigations revealed that Eklaq has a prior criminal record and was previously booked under the Gangsters Act. During interrogation, the accused confessed to collaborating in cow slaughter activities. To evade police surveillance, they frequently changed locations, highlighting their attempts to avoid detection.
Background of the Case
The arrests are connected to a cow slaughter case reported in Jhinjhpur Saraiya village on March 23. The accused were allegedly involved in this incident, which has been a focal point of police efforts in the region. The encounter underscores ongoing law enforcement actions against such activities in Uttar Pradesh.
This development marks a significant step in addressing cow slaughter cases in the area, with authorities continuing to investigate the full extent of the accused's operations and any potential links to broader criminal networks.
