24 hrs, 1 UP dist, 7 encounters, 9 shot in leg

Agra: Nine accused were shot in the legs and 10 were arrested during seven police encounters across Muzaffarnagar district within 24 hours as part of a crackdown on those facing cases of robbery, dacoity, attempt to murder and offences under Gangster Act, police said. The operations took place in New Mandi, Mansoorpur, Budhana and Kotwali Nagar areas, and included the arrest of two wanted accused carrying rewards of Rs 20,000 each.Cops said the accused opened fire on police teams during the operations, following which there was retaliation. The injured accused were taken to the district hospital for treatment under police custody and later sent to jail after legal formalities.Police recovered seven country-made firearms, pistols, eight spent cartridges, eight live cartridges, around 400 grams of silver ornaments, six motorcycles, a scooter without a registration plate and some cash during the operations. Officials said the recovered items were suspected to be linked to recent criminal activities in the district.SSP Sanjay Kumar Verma said the arrested accused were involved in several criminal cases registered at police stations in Muzaffarnagar and Punjab. “Yes, seven encounters were carried out in the last 24 hours. The accused fired at police teams, and in retaliatory action, they were injured and arrested. Strict legal action is being ensured, and all accused are being sent to jail,” he said.Police said further investigation was underway to trace the accused’s links with other criminal networks and incidents across the region.