Two murder accused and wanted criminals, Raghavendra Pratap Singh alias Dhuran Singh (27) and Angad Kumar (23), were arrested following a police encounter near Rampur Asli under Gadwar police station area in Ballia around midnight on Saturday.
The accused had been evading arrest after brutally assaulting trader Ejazul Haq in Trikalpur on September 28, which led to his death during treatment.
According to Ballia ASP (Southern) Kripa Shankar, police on night patrol spotted three men on a motorcycle at around 1:30 am. When the police signalled them to stop, the men opened fire and tried to flee. After a chase, the motorcycle slipped, and the suspects were surrounded. The accused continued firing, forcing police to respond in self-defence.
During the encounter, both Raghavendra and Angad sustained gunshot wounds to their legs and were taken into custody. Their accomplice, Niranjan Singh, escaped on the motorcycle.
Police recovered two firearms and live cartridges from the scene. The injured suspects were rushed to the district hospital for treatment.
In preliminary interrogation, the duo admitted to entering Ejazul Haq’s shop on the night of September 28 armed with knives and sticks, assaulting the trader. The police have launched search operations for the absconding third suspect and are continuing legal proceedings.
