Armyman shot dead in gun battle in Uttar Pradesh

BULANDSHAHR - An Indian Army soldier was shot dead in a gun battle with the Uttar Pradesh police in Bulandshahr district of the state, police said Sunday. However, the armyman’s father alleged the gun battle was “faked”.

The police said the soldier, who was later identified as Kuldeep Singh - a soldier in Rajputana Rifles posted in Abohar in Punjab - and his friend hired a taxi from Mathura junction in the wee hours of Saturday to go to Dauji, a worship place in the same district.

But they diverted the taxi to Khurja, where they threw the driver out and ran away in the taxi.

The driver, Bhagwan Singh, approached the police which started a hunt for the criminals.

“The duo was found on the GT road. On being asked to stop, they started firing at the police,” Senior Superintendent of Police-Bulandshahr Neelesh Kumar told reporters.

“The police also retaliated by firing. One man sustained gunshot injuries while his accomplice escaped,” he said.

The deceased man’s photograph was published in Sunday’s newspaper, responding to which his family members in Aligarh identified him as Kuldeep Singh, an Army soldier posted in Rajputana Rifles unit in Abohar, Punjab, Kumar said.

A .32 calibre pistol, a mobile phone, Rs.2,500 cash were recovered from his possession, police said.

However, Viri Singh, Kuldeep’s father, alleged that the police had staged a “fake” gun battle.

He told IANS that his son was brutally beaten before being killed, his clothes were torn, and cash of Rs.18,000, his identity card, a gold chain of about 20 gram weight and mobile phone were snatched by the cops.

“An Army soldier had been killed brutally, belongings snatched and bad name given. It is very unfortunate. We shall fight till the end of our life.” Viri Singh said.