A criminal & a constable injured in encounter, two arrested, Rs 1.30 lakh cash seized

Muzaffarnagar: A police encounter here early morning on Thursday left a criminal and a policeman injured, while the criminal’s accomplice managed to flee. A search operation is being carried out to nab him. A motorcycle, a country-made gun, live cartridges and Rs 1.35 lakh in cash were seized from their possession.

According to police, the criminals had robbed the owner of a medicine shop two days ago. Sources said Thursday’s encounter took place in Civil Lines police station area, when police on a routine checking drive tried to stop two suspects on a bike. They opened fire at the cops, injuring constable Israr Ahmed. One of the suspects was wounded in the exchange of fire and later arrested, while his associate managed to escape the spot.

The arrested suspect was identified as Joni, who has half-a-dozen criminal cases against his name, and was named an accused in the recently committed loot of the owner of a medicine shop in Muzaffarnagar two days ago.

Superintendent of police (city) Satpal Antil said, “We pressed four police teams to track the suspects. The encounter took place during a checking drive today. We have also arrested an employee of the medicine shop on suspicion of being involved in the loot. Further investigation is on.”