Contract killer with Rs 1.7L bounty gunned down in encounter

Lucknow: A wanted contract killer carrying a cumulative reward of Rs 1.7 lakh was killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) in Ayodhya late Sunday night, police said.

The accused, Bhanu Pratap Singh alias Bablu (38) of Gorakhpur, suffered bullet injuries during an STF operation, led by its Prayagraj unit. He was taken to Ayodhya Medical College where he was pronounced dead.

According to STF, Singh had been on the run for several years and was involved in over 40 criminal cases, including contract killings, dacoity, robbery and offences under the Arms Act across eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Acting on specific intelligence about his movement, STF teams laid a trap on the outskirts of Ayodhya. Officials said Singh tried to evade arrest and allegedly opened fire on the team, leading to retaliatory firing in which he was fatally injured.

ADG (law and order) Amitabh Yash said, “He was a hardened criminal with a long record. His encounter is a significant step in curbing organised crime networks operating across districts.”

Police sources said Singh frequently changed hideouts and maintained links with criminal gangs in multiple districts, particularly in eastern UP.