Two cattle smugglers arrested; one injured, other escapes

Kanpur: A late-night encounter took place between police and cattle smugglers in the Asoha police station area of Unnao, in which two accused were arrested while one escaped taking advantage of the darkness. During the encounter, a criminal was shot in the leg and was sent to the Community Health Centre for treatment.According to the police, the incident occurred around 12:30 am near Chandankheda bridge on the Asoha-Kalukheda road when the police were conducting vehicle checking. They received information from the SOG and surveillance team that three accused linked to cattle smuggling were coming on a motorcycle from Kalukheda towards Asoha, following which the police team became alert and began cordoning off the area, said a police officer.Police signalled the approaching motorcycle to stop, but the men on the bike attempted to flee and turned towards a deserted route. In their haste, the motorcycle skidded and fell. Police said one accused fired at the police team with the intent to kill.Police arrested two accused from the spot, while the third accused escaped, taking advantage of the darkness. The arrested accused were identified as Rafiq, son of Jumman, resident of Kwethar Jamuna Kheda and Manmohan Yadav, son of late Beni Madhav, resident of village Shivgarh, Thana Asoha.During interrogation, the police said, the accused admitted that they used to catch cattle roaming in the open and smuggle them, and they came to the forest area for the same purpose. Police recovered one illegal pistol of 315 bore, one live cartridge, one empty cartridge shell, two mobile phones, and the motorcycle used in the incident from their possession.Rafiq was sent to CHC Asoha for primary treatment. Police investigation revealed that Rafiq had several serious cases registered against him at various police stations, including under the Cow Slaughter (Prevention) Act, the Gangster Act, and the Arms Act.