In a significant breakthrough, the Pratapgarh police successfully apprehended a wanted criminal and his two key associates following a brief encounter on Monday. The incident led to the recovery of illegal firearms and shed light on a recent theft case.
Encounter Leads to Arrest of Wanted Trio
The police operation took place near the Budahura Kumbhapur road under the jurisdiction of the Raniganj police station. During the encounter, the primary accused, identified as Mithlesh Kesarwani (38), a resident of Prayagraj, sustained injuries. He was immediately taken to the district hospital for necessary medical treatment.
His two accomplices, Luvkesh Yadav and his brother Pawan Yadav, both hailing from Pratapgarh district, were also taken into custody without injury. The swift action by the police led to the complete neutralization of the criminal group.
Weapons Recovered and Criminal Background
Following the encounter, the police team conducted a thorough search of the area. They seized crucial evidence, including one country-made pistol of 0.315 bore. Along with the firearm, the authorities also recovered one live cartridge and one used cartridge from the scene.
Investigations revealed that the arrested trio was actively wanted by the police in connection with a theft case. The case pertains to a robbery at a government primary school in Govindpur village on December 22. The successful encounter and arrest have provided a major lead in solving this crime.
Police Statement and Ongoing Investigation
Local police officials confirmed the details of the operation, stating that the individuals were tracked down based on specific intelligence inputs regarding their movements and involvement in criminal activities. The arrest of Mithlesh Kesarwani and the Yadav brothers is expected to disrupt local criminal networks operating in the area.
The police have registered appropriate cases against the accused. While Kesarwani remains under medical supervision, his aides are being interrogated to uncover further details about their involvement in other potential crimes. The recovery of the illegal weapon underscores the ongoing efforts by Uttar Pradesh Police to curb armed crime in the region.
