Third encounter by UPP in past 10 days

This is the third major encounter by the UP Police in the past 10 days amid intensified action against accused involved in sensational crimes across the state.

On May 4, Ambedkarnagar police shot dead 20-year-old Aamir Ahmad, the prime accused in the murder of 35-year-old Gaasiya Khaaton and her four children. Police said Aamir was attempting to flee towards the Nepal border when he was intercepted and challenged by a police team. During the encounter, he was killed in retaliatory firing. Investigators said Aamir, who was out on bail in an earlier murder case, allegedly killed the woman and her children over a property dispute.

In another encounter on May 6, Hardoi police gunned down 29-year-old Shahnoor in Mallawan area. Shahnoor was wanted in connection with the kidnapping, sexual assault, and murder of a seven-year-old boy. Police said he opened fire while trying to evade arrest and was killed in retaliatory action.