In a significant crackdown, the Mirzapur police successfully intercepted an inter-district cattle smuggling operation on Saturday, leading to the arrest of one smuggler and the recovery of 20 cattle heads destined for slaughter.
Police Encounter and Arrest
The action unfolded in the area under the Chunar Police Station. Acting on a specific tip-off, police were informed that cattle smugglers were transporting the animals in two pickup vans from Madhya Pradesh, through Mirzapur, towards Bihar. A police team swiftly set up a check post to intercept the vehicles.
Upon spotting the police barrier, the drivers of the pickup vans attempted a desperate escape. They turned their vehicles off the highway towards the Dhaurahara Railway underpass. The police team gave chase and managed to surround them. The situation escalated when the smugglers opened fire at the police personnel. The police team retaliated in self-defence.
Injured Smuggler Hospitalized, One Escapes
During the exchange of fire, one of the cattle smugglers, identified as Imran, a resident of Pagiya Road in the Karma police station area of Sonbhadra district, was shot in his right leg. He was immediately taken to a hospital for treatment. However, taking advantage of the chaotic situation, one of his accomplices managed to flee from the spot. Police teams have launched extensive raids to apprehend the absconding accused.
Illegal Firearm and Suspicious Vehicles Recovered
Following the encounter, the police conducted a thorough search and made crucial recoveries. The 20 cattle heads were found loaded in the two pickup vans. Additionally, the police recovered an illegal firearm of .315 bore and two empty cartridges from the scene.
The vehicles used in the crime also raised suspicions. One of the recovered pickup vans had no number plate at all, while the other vehicle was found sporting different number plates on its front and rear. This modus operandi is often used by criminals to evade identification and tracking.
The Mirzapur police have registered a case and are investigating the larger network behind this cattle smuggling racket. The successful operation highlights the continued vigilance of the police force in the region against illegal animal trafficking and the use of illicit weapons.
