Criminal gunned down in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW - A gangster wanted in connection with over 20 criminal cases and carrying a bounty of Rs.50,000 was shot down by police in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar district, police said Monday

Akbar (27) was killed late Sunday during a gun battle with police and sleuths of the Special Operations Group (SOG) in the Budhana area, some 350 km from Lucknow.

“Acting on a tip-off, we tried to intercept Akbar late Sunday in the Budhana area. Instead of stopping (his vehicle), he (Akbar) opened fire at the police teams while attempting to escape,” Deputy Superintendent of Police Shiv Ram Yadav told reporters Monday at a press conference in Muzaffarnagar.

“It was only after nearly half-an-hour of cross-firing that we managed to gun him down. During the gunfight, an aide of Akbar managed to escape under the cover of darkness,” he added.

According to police, Akbar had been booked in 23 cases of heinous crimes, including abduction and loot, pending against him in police stations across Uttar Pradesh.

Akbar, who was resident of Meerut district, primarily operated in the western regions of the state, police said.