Police Encounter Leads to Arrest of Six Suspected Cattle Smugglers
In a dramatic late-night operation, Uttar Pradesh police apprehended six alleged cattle smugglers following an exchange of gunfire in Ghazipur district. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening when police teams intercepted vehicles transporting cattle allegedly destined for Bihar.
Three of the accused sustained gunshot injuries to their legs during the confrontation and were subsequently admitted to a local hospital for treatment. The police team successfully recovered six cows and calves from a van belonging to the suspects.
How the Police Operation Unfolded
The chain of events began during routine patrolling on the busy Varanasi-Gorakhpur highway. Deputy SP Shekhar Sengar, who serves as the Circle Officer of the City area, provided details of the operation.
The Station House Officer of Birno police station first noticed a pickup van and an SUV moving at high speed along the highway. When police signaled the vehicles to stop, the drivers allegedly accelerated and attempted to flee toward the Jangipur area.
The alert SHO immediately notified the Station Officer of Jangipur police station about the suspicious vehicles. Fortunately, the SO was already patrolling the area with a SWAT team and quickly positioned themselves to intercept the approaching vehicles.
Exchange of Fire and Arrests
As police closed in from both sides near Rasoolabad crossing, the occupants of the vehicles reportedly opened fire on the police teams. The police retaliated in self-defense, leading to the injury of three suspects who were shot in their legs while attempting to escape.
After overpowering the suspects, police discovered the cattle inside the van. During preliminary questioning, the accused revealed that the animals were being transported to Bihar, allegedly for slaughter purposes.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Mohammad Suhel Khan from Bihar's Gaya district, along with Shashikant Rana, Yuvraj Kumar, Ranjit Kumar, Ajeet Yadav and Sarvesh Yadav from Uttar Pradesh.
Police Statements and Next Steps
SP Ghazipur Iraj Raja confirmed that the operation involved personnel from multiple police stations along with the specialized SWAT team. The coordinated effort demonstrates the increased vigilance against cattle smuggling operations in the region.
Circle Officer Shekhar Sengar stated that authorities are currently gathering details about the criminal backgrounds of all the accused. The suspects are scheduled to be produced in court to face formal charges related to cattle smuggling and attacking police personnel.
This incident highlights the ongoing efforts by Uttar Pradesh police to combat illegal cattle transportation across state borders, particularly along the UP-Bihar route which has seen similar incidents in the past.
