A wanted criminal carrying a reward of Rs1 lakh was shot dead in an encounter with the police and the Special Operations Group (SOG), officials said on Friday.
The deceased, identified as Faisal, was a shooter associated with the notorious Sanjeev Jeeva gang, police said.
The encounter took place in the Bhogimajra forest area after police received a tip-off that a group of criminals was planning a robbery on Vedkhedi Road. Acting on the intelligence, a joint team from the Jhinjhana police station and the SOG surrounded the suspects. When the police closed in, the miscreants opened fire, prompting retaliatory action.
During the exchange of gunfire, Faisal was shot and critically injured. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared him dead. SOG constable Deepak Nirwan also sustained a bullet injury and is currently undergoing treatment at a local hospital.
One of Faisal’s associates managed to escape under the cover of darkness. Police teams have launched a combing operation in the forest to trace and arrest the absconding criminal.
Two motorcycles, two pistols, live cartridges, and used shells were recovered from the encounter site. The Jhinjhana Station House Officer (SHO) stated that efforts are underway to identify the fugitive and bring him to justice.
Senior police officials visited the scene of the encounter to inspect the area and assess the condition of the injured officer. Following the incident, security measures in the region have been intensified to ensure law and order is maintained.