Unnao Police Encounter: Two Cattle Smugglers Arrested, One Escapes After Midnight Firefight
A dramatic late-night encounter unfolded between police personnel and alleged cattle smugglers in the Asoha police station area of Unnao district, resulting in the arrest of two accused individuals while a third managed to flee under the cover of darkness. The incident, which involved an exchange of gunfire, occurred in the early hours near the Chandankheda bridge on the Asoha-Kalukheda road.
Midnight Operation and Exchange of Fire
According to police officials, the confrontation took place around 12:30 am when a team was conducting routine vehicle checks in the area. Acting on specific intelligence provided by the Special Operations Group (SOG) and surveillance units, the police had been alerted that three individuals linked to cattle smuggling were approaching on a motorcycle from Kalukheda towards Asoha.
The police team immediately cordoned off the area and signaled the motorcycle to stop. However, the riders attempted to evade capture by turning onto a deserted route. In their haste, the motorcycle skidded and fell, prompting one of the accused to open fire at the police team with what authorities described as "intent to kill."
Arrests and Recovery of Evidence
Following the brief exchange, police managed to apprehend two suspects at the scene, while the third exploited the darkness to escape. The arrested individuals have been identified as:
- Rafiq, son of Jumman, resident of Kwethar Jamuna Kheda
- Manmohan Yadav, son of the late Beni Madhav, resident of Shivgarh village, Thana Asoha
During subsequent interrogation, the accused reportedly confessed to their involvement in cattle smuggling, admitting they typically captured stray cattle and transported them illegally. They had come to the forest area for this very purpose, police stated.
From their possession, authorities recovered substantial evidence, including:
- One illegal 315 bore pistol
- One live cartridge
- One empty cartridge shell
- Two mobile phones
- The motorcycle used in the incident
Injuries and Criminal Background
During the encounter, Rafiq sustained a gunshot wound to his leg and was promptly transported to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Asoha for primary medical treatment. Police investigations have since revealed that Rafiq has a significant criminal history, with multiple serious cases registered against him at various police stations.
His charges include violations under the Cow Slaughter (Prevention) Act, the Gangster Act, and the Arms Act, indicating a pattern of involvement in organized illegal activities. The police are continuing their search for the third accused who managed to escape, and further investigations are underway to uncover additional details about the smuggling network.
