Gangster with Rs 1 lakh bounty gunned down in encounter in UP's Gonda

LUCKNOW: A dreaded criminal carrying a bounty of Rs 1 lakh on his head, Sonu Pasi alias Bhure, was eliminated in a police encounter in the wee hours of Tuesday near Saloni Mohammadpur Bandha in Gonda district.

Sonu Pasi had an extensive criminal record, with over 50 cases registered against him since 2002 across multiple districts, including charges under murder, attempt to murder, dacoity, theft, NDPS Act, Arms Act, Gangsters Act, Cases span police stations like Tarabganj, Paraspur, Kotwali Nagar, Karnailganj, Chhawani (Basti), Huzurpur (Bahraich), and others.

The joint operation was carried out by police teams from Umri Begumganj and Khodare police stations along with the Special Operations Group (SOG).

Superintendent of Police, Gonda, Vineet Jaiswal, said that Pasi, son of Nirmohi and a resident of Kadipur under Karnailganj police station, was wanted in a recent violent theft case.

" During a house burglary on the night of April 24-25 in Dixir village, a family member had been shot by unidentified robbers. Three accused—Brijesh alias Chhotu Pasi, Pallu Pasi, and Nanmunna Lodhi—were earlier arrested in an encounter on May 8. However, Sonu Pasi had been on the run, prompting ADG Gorakhpur Zone to announce a reward of Rs 1 lakh for his capture," said Jaiswal.

SP Jaiswal added that acting on a tip-off, police tried to intercept him near Saloni Mohammadpur Bandha late on May 19.

Surrounded by police, Pasi opened fire, hitting the bulletproof jacket of Umri Begumganj SHO.

In retaliatory fire, Pasi was shot and later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

Police recovered a .32 bore illegal pistol with spent cartridges, a country-made .315 bore firearm, and a Hero HF Deluxe motorcycle without number plates from the spot.