Uttar Pradesh police dismantled an interstate cattle theft gang in Baghpat, arresting three individuals following a dramatic encounter and recovering stolen vehicles and weapons.
An interstate cattle theft gang was busted in Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat as police arrested three men after an encounter, officials said on Thursday.
The operation was carried out jointly by the Singhawali Ahir police and a surveillance team during a checking drive on Wednesday night, they said.
During the operation, police attempted to stop a suspicious pickup vehicle, but the occupants tried to flee and opened fire on the team.
In retaliatory firing, two of the accused, Noman and Ummed, sustained bullet injuries. Another accused, Rizwan alias Riju, was arrested unhurt.
According to police, the gang was active across several districts of western Uttar Pradesh, including Saharanpur, Muzaffarnagar, Meerut and Baghpat, as well as parts of neighbouring Haryana, and had been involved in cattle theft cases for a long time.
The police said a stolen Mahindra Bolero pickup, two illegal .315 bore country-made pistols, live cartridges, chains and ropes used for tying animals were recovered from their possession.
During interrogation, the accused admitted to involvement in multiple incidents, they added.
Superintendent of Police Suraj Kumar Rai said a case has been registered and further action is underway, adding that a cash reward of Rs 10,000 will be given to the police team involved in the encounter.
Efforts are underway to trace other members of the gang and unravel the entire network, he said.