SUV chase ends in encounter, 2 ATM fraud accused arrested

Pratapgarh: Two members of an inter-state ATM fraud racket were injured and arrested following a police encounter near the Rasoiya turn area in Pratapgarh district late Sunday.

According to police, a joint team of the Special Operations Group (SOG) and Dilippur police was conducting routine vehicle checks near Rasoiya turn when they intercepted a suspicious SUV. When asked to stop, the occupants allegedly tried to run over the policemen and attempted to flee.

During the chase, the driver tried to enter a nearby forest area, but the SUV crashed into a corner along the canal road. As police personnel moved in to surround the vehicle, the accused allegedly opened fire on them, prompting retaliatory firing by the police in which both suspects were injured.

During interrogation, the arrested men confessed to duping several ATM card users across Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Police said both accused have a criminal history.

The accused were identified as Mohd Aftab and Naushad Ali, both residents of Leelapur. They sustained bullet injuries during the encounter and were admitted to the district hospital.

Police recovered two country-made .315 bore pistols along with live and used cartridges, an SUV, Rs 17,600 in cash, six ATM cards, three Aadhaar cards, a driving licence, a vehicle registration certificate, and an EPIC card from their possession.