In a dramatic late-night operation, the Ghaziabad police successfully apprehended two men wanted for murder following an exchange of gunfire on the busy Delhi-Saharanpur highway. The accused, each carrying a bounty of Rs 25,000, were caught with illegal weapons and a stolen motorcycle.
Highway Confrontation Leads to Arrest
The sequence of events unfolded on Sunday after police received critical intelligence. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Ankur Vihar) Gyan Prakash Rai stated that a tip-off indicated the two men involved in a shooting and murder case in the Dabar Talab area were moving on a motorcycle towards the Sabhapur underpass from the Garhi Kattaiya side.
Acting swiftly on the information, a police team set up surveillance. Soon, they spotted two individuals on a motorcycle approaching the underpass. When officers signalled them to stop, the riders refused to comply. In a brazen act, Afsar, who was riding pillion, opened fire at the police officials. The duo then turned their motorcycle and attempted to flee towards an empty plot of land.
Retaliatory Fire and Seizure of Evidence
The police team responded with controlled retaliatory fire. During this exchange, Afsar sustained a gunshot wound to his right leg. This injury effectively halted their escape, leading to the immediate arrest of both Afsar and the motorcycle rider, Shahzad, at the spot.
Following the arrest, law enforcement officials conducted a search and made significant recoveries. The seized items included:
- The stolen motorcycle used by the accused.
- An illegal pistol.
- One spent cartridge.
- One live cartridge.
Afsar, who was injured, was promptly sent to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. Both arrested individuals are confirmed residents of Ankur Vihar in Ghaziabad and have a known criminal history.
Criminal Backgrounds Under Scrutiny
Preliminary police investigations have revealed a extensive criminal record, particularly for Afsar. He is reportedly involved in approximately a dozen cases across different states, primarily related to robbery and theft. Authorities are actively gathering more information about his and Shahzad's complete criminal backgrounds and possible involvement in other unlawful activities.
This arrest highlights the continued efforts of the Ghaziabad police to track down and apprehend individuals involved in serious crimes, ensuring they are brought to justice. The operation also underscores the risks law enforcement personnel undertake in the line of duty to maintain public safety.
