Azamgarh: Cow slaughter accused held after encounter

Varanasi: A cow slaughter accused was shot in the leg and arrested after an encounter with Ahiraula cops in Azamgarh early Saturday. His accomplice, however, managed to escape.Budhanpur Circle Officer Ajay Kumar Singh said informers tipped off Ahraula cops about cattle smugglers, involved in butchering strays, moving via Nizampur towards Sahraja-Tarkulha during night patrol.
Police swiftly cordoned off the area, trying to stop two bikers near Tarkulha village, but they fired at cops to escape.The CO furher said that in retaliatory action, police also opened fire, in which one criminal suffered a bullet injury in his leg and was caught, while the other managed to escape. After recovering one country-made pistol, cartridges and a motorcycle, police rushed the injured criminal, identified as Dilshad alias Lalu, to a hospital. He divulged the name of his companion, who fled the scene, as Zakir alias Shaif.During questioning by the police , Dilshad spilled the beans — he and his gang targeted stray cattle for slaughter and smuggling, often catching them at night in deserted spots. They would butcher the animals in isolated areas, selling the meat at high prices. They even used vehicles to smuggle cattle to states like Bihar. Dilshad was arrested and jailed multiple times for cow slaughter and smuggling, with eight cases against him.