Police Encounter Leads to Cattle Rescue in Mirzapur
In a dramatic operation on Wednesday, police in Mirzapur district rescued 33 cattle that were allegedly being transported illegally for slaughter. The incident culminated in an encounter, leading to the arrest of two suspected cow smugglers.
Tip-Off Leads to Highway Interception
Acting on specific intelligence, a police team intercepted a truck on the highway service lane near the Tenduai overbridge. Officials stated the vehicle was allegedly transporting the cattle from Sidhi district in Madhya Pradesh to Bihar.
When the police attempted to stop the truck, the suspects exited the vehicle and opened fire in a bid to escape arrest. The police team was forced to retaliate in self-defence.
Injured Smugglers Apprehended
During the exchange of fire, one of the alleged smugglers, identified as Sonu Bind, sustained a bullet injury in his leg. Bind is a resident of Chakrapanpur under the Mirzamurad police station in Varanasi district. He was taken into custody and sent to a hospital under police guard.
The second accused, Mithilesh Kumar, also from Chakrapanpur in Varanasi, was injured after being hit by a vehicle during the chaotic incident. He was apprehended at the scene itself.
Animals and Weapons Seized
The police recovered a total of 33 cattle, which included 15 cows and 18 bulls and calves. Authorities reported that the animals were being transported in a cruel manner intended for slaughter.
From the spot, law enforcement also seized an illegal .315 bore country-made pistol, along with one live cartridge and an empty shell.
Case Registered and Probe Underway
A formal case has been registered at the Lalganj police station in connection with the entire incident. A comprehensive investigation is currently ongoing to uncover further details and potential links in the illegal cattle smuggling network.
This operation highlights the continued efforts by police in Uttar Pradesh to combat the illegal transport and slaughter of cattle, an issue that frequently leads to violent confrontations.
