Two Notorious Gangsters Neutralised in Moradabad Police Encounter
In a significant breakthrough for the Uttar Pradesh Police, two most-wanted gangsters were killed in an alleged exchange of fire in the Bhojpur police station area of Moradabad district. The joint operation was conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) and the Moradabad police based on specific intelligence inputs.
Identities and Criminal Records of the Deceased
The deceased have been identified as Asif, alias Tidda, and his close associate Deenu, both residents of Meerut. The police confirmed that Asif was carrying a cash reward of Rs 1 lakh, while a reward of Rs 50,000 was announced for information leading to Deenu's arrest.
Police records reveal an extensive and violent criminal history. Asif faced a staggering 65 criminal cases, while around 25 cases were registered against Deenu. The charges against them include serious offences such as robbery, dacoity, murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping, and extortion across western Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring states.
The Encounter and Recovered Evidence
Acting on a tip-off about the duo's presence in the area, the STF and local police cordoned off the location. An encounter ensued, resulting in the deaths of both criminals. A formal statement from the STF confirmed that officers recovered significant evidence from the scene, including:
- A car used by the gangsters
- Three pistols
- Several live cartridges
The bodies have been sent for post-mortem and further forensic examination to gather additional evidence. Senior officials have stated that seizure documentation and ballistic tests are currently underway.
Asif Tidda's Long Reign of Crime
Asif, originally from Kalchina village in Ghaziabad, was currently residing in Rashid Nagar's Baniye Wala Khet locality in Meerut. Officials described him as having limited formal education. His criminal career began in 2005 when he was first booked for theft at the Brahmpuri police station in Meerut.
A history-sheet was officially opened against him on August 12, 2013. From that point, he was linked to a spate of violent incidents and organised crimes across multiple districts including Ghaziabad, Aligarh, Bulandshahr, Hapur, Muzaffarnagar, Moradabad, and Saharanpur. His criminal network also extended into parts of Delhi, Haryana, and Uttarakhand.
One of the most recent incidents involved Asif and his associates allegedly demanding Rs 1 crore as extortion from a property dealer, Haji Jafar. When the demand was not met, they threatened to kill him. The gang later entered Jafar's office and took Rs 2 lakh in cash. On the night of September 27, two associates reportedly fired shots outside Jafar's house, leading to a case being filed at the Katghar police station in Moradabad.
Ongoing Investigation and Supervision
The ADG of Bareilly zone, Ramit Sharma, had previously announced the reward for Asif's capture. Investigators described Deenu as a crucial aide involved in the same and other criminal cases. Senior STF and Moradabad officials are personally supervising the probe.
Police have confirmed that further action will be based on the findings from the forensic analysis and witness statements. This operation marks a major success for the Uttar Pradesh police in their ongoing campaign against organised crime in the state.
