A notorious criminal, carrying a bounty of Rs 50,000 on his head, was shot and killed in a dramatic late-night encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Police in Hapur district. The incident occurred in the Kapoorpur area during a police operation specifically targeting the illegal slaughter and smuggling of cows.
Operation Against Cow Smuggling Triggers Firefight
According to Kunwar Gyananjay Singh, the Superintendent of Police (SP) for Hapur, the events unfolded around 12:30 am after the Kapoorpur police station received a critical tip via the 112 helpline. The information indicated that a group of individuals, suspected to be cow smugglers, were making arrangements to transport the animals.
Acting swiftly on this intelligence, Station House Officer (SHO) Vinod Pandey immediately proceeded to the location. Upon arrival, his attention was drawn to a Swift Dzire car moving in a highly suspicious manner. As the officer began to follow the vehicle, the situation escalated rapidly.
A Narrow Escape and Fatal Retaliation
"The man inside the car opened fire at him, and the SHO fired in retaliation to save his life when Haseen was injured," stated SP Singh, detailing the initial moments of the confrontation. The police provided a more detailed account, explaining that once the car's occupants realized they were trapped, the accused, Haseen alias Shatir, initiated a direct attack.
"Haseen opened fire at the police team, aiming directly at SHO Pandey. The officer narrowly escaped as the bullet whizzed past his head. The situation quickly escalated into a heavy exchange of gunfire," an officer recounted. During this intense shootout, Haseen sustained severe gunshot injuries and collapsed near the vehicle.
Criminal Past and Recovery of Evidence
The police later identified the deceased as Haseen, a 30-year-old resident of Manauta village in Sambhal district's Asmoli area. He was not a petty criminal; investigations revealed he was a repeat offender wanted in over 25 criminal cases. His extensive criminal record included serious charges such as cow slaughter, attempt to murder, and cases registered under the stringent Gangster Act.
Following the encounter, the police conducted a search of the immediate area. From the spot, they successfully recovered crucial evidence, including a country-made pistol, live cartridges, and the Swift Dzire car used by the accused.
After being shot, Haseen was rushed to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Dhaulana for initial treatment. Due to the gravity of his injuries, he was subsequently referred to Rama Medical College and Hospital, where attending doctors officially declared him dead upon arrival.
