Wanted Criminal with Rs 50,000 Reward Killed in Agra Police Encounter
A joint operation by Agra Police and the Noida unit of the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) resulted in the death of a wanted criminal carrying a reward of Rs 50,000. The encounter occurred late on Friday in the Ekta police station area of Agra.
Police Constable Injured During Exchange of Fire
During the intense gunfight, a police head constable sustained a gunshot wound to his hand. The injured officer received immediate medical attention following the operation.
Criminal Profile: Pawan alias Kalla
The deceased criminal was identified as Pawan alias Kalla, a 35-year-old resident of the Sirauli area in Ghaziabad. Police officials confirmed he was wanted in an extortion case registered at Tajganj police station.
DSP (STF) Navendu Kumar provided detailed information about the criminal's background:
- Pawan served as a shooter for the notorious Randeep Bhati-Amit Kasana gang, which has been officially identified by the government
- More than 18 criminal cases were registered against him, including four murder charges and two extortion cases
- In 2021, authorities declared a reward of Rs 1 lakh for his capture in a murder case, leading to his subsequent imprisonment in Delhi
Encounter Details and Firefight
According to police reports, Pawan fired approximately 18-20 rounds during the confrontation. Police personnel responded with five rounds of retaliatory fire. The criminal sustained critical injuries during the exchange and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead upon arrival.
Weapons Recovery and Criminal Connections
Following the encounter, police recovered a significant cache of arms and cartridges from the scene. Among the recovered items was a government-issued pistol that had allegedly been looted from a police officer in 2016.
Police officials revealed additional concerning details about Pawan's criminal network:
- While serving time in jail, Pawan established contact with the Himanshu Bhau gang operating from Haryana
- After his release last year, he allegedly resumed extortion activities and began making large-scale financial demands
- He was actively planning major criminal operations in Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh in collaboration with his gang associates
Historical Weapon Connection
The recovered government pistol had been looted from a constable in 2016 in the Bisrakh police station area of Gautam Buddh Nagar. Police noted that a final report in that particular case had been filed in 2019, making the weapon's recovery particularly significant for ongoing investigations.
This operation represents a significant achievement for law enforcement agencies working to dismantle organized criminal networks in the region. The elimination of such a high-profile criminal with multiple serious charges marks progress in maintaining public safety and security.
