In a late-night operation on Sunday, two members of an inter-state ATM fraud racket were injured and arrested following a police encounter near the Rasoiya turn area in Pratapgarh district. The incident unfolded when a joint team of the Special Operations Group (SOG) and Dilippur police was conducting routine vehicle checks near Rasoiya turn. The team intercepted a suspicious SUV, and when asked to stop, the occupants allegedly attempted to run over the policemen and flee the scene.
Chase and Exchange of Fire
During the ensuing chase, the driver of the SUV tried to enter a nearby forest area, but the vehicle crashed into a corner along the canal road. As police personnel moved in to surround the vehicle, the accused allegedly opened fire on them. The police retaliated, injuring both suspects in the crossfire.
Confession and Criminal History
During interrogation, the arrested men confessed to defrauding numerous ATM card users across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Police confirmed that both accused have a prior criminal record.
Identification and Medical Treatment
The accused were identified as Mohd Aftab and Naushad Ali, both residents of Leelapur. They sustained bullet injuries during the encounter and were subsequently admitted to the district hospital for treatment.
Recovered Items
From the possession of the suspects, police recovered two country-made .315 bore pistols along with live and used cartridges, an SUV, Rs 17,600 in cash, six ATM cards, three Aadhaar cards, a driving licence, a vehicle registration certificate, and an EPIC card.
