Two criminals killed in gun battle with police

MUZAFFARNAGAR - Two criminals, wanted for many cases by police of several states, were gunned down by a team of Uttar Pradesh Police here, an official said Thursday.

Anil Kumar, 40, and Rajendra, 38, were shot dead during a gun battle late Wednesday in Bhaura Kala town.

“While Kumar had 37 criminal cases, including of murder, abduction and loot, pending against him, Rajendra faced around 17 criminal cases,” Senior Superintendent of Police Pravin Kumar told reporters in Muzaffarnagar, some 400 km from Lucknow.

“Two policemen were also injured during the shootout but they are out of danger,” he said.

“The two criminals were wanted by police of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi,” he added.

During a vehicle checking drive, police signalled the two car-borne criminals to stop. “Instead of stopping, the two started firing indiscriminately at a police team. We retaliated and the two were shot dead,” a police official said.

“Three revolvers and several live cartridges were recovered from the duo’s possession,” the official added.

Anil and Rajendra were natives of Uttar Pradesh.