Two criminals killed in encounters in Bulandshahr

MEERUT: A day after a gangster was killed in a police encounter in Greater Noida, two history sheeters, who carried a reward of Rs 50,000 each on their heads, were killed in separate encounters in Bulandshahr on Monday night. Three policemen were also injured in the shootout, police said on Tuesday.
The slain criminals were identified as Ashish Thakur, a resident of Aimanpur village, and Abdul (only first name available), a resident of Murtazabad Bhatwara village in Bulandshahr.
Police claimed they were accused of looting a jewellery shop in Dhameda area under Kotwali police station in the district on November 3. Five cases each were registered against the two miscreants.
Acting on a tip-off that Ashish and Abdul were present in Khurja area, several police teams started checking operations in different areas, said a police officer.
When a police team signalled two youths on a motorcycle to stop, they fled towards Pahasu. The area police station team was informed, and soon, police surrounded them near Kheda village.
Police claimed that the two miscreants opened fire on the police personnel, who retaliated. One of the miscreants Abdul suffered bullet injuries but his accomplice managed to flee. Abdul was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he died.
A head constable, Sitam Singh, also suffered a bullet injury and was admitted to hospital.
During checking in Wali Nagar canal area, police surrounded Ashish, who opened fire at the police team, injuring two constables -- Parvez Chaudhary and Virender Singh. Ashish suffered bullet injury in retaliatory firing, and was rushed to hospital, where he died.
SSP Shlok Kumar said, "Two encounters took place in two different areas. Two history sheeters were injured in the encounters, and they died during treatment in hospital."
Meanwhile, the family of slain Ashish said the encounter was fake, but the SSP refuted the allegation.