Wanted sharpshooter shot dead in encounter with UP STF in Varanasi

Varanasi/Lucknow: A suspected contract killer who was carrying a reward of Rs 1 lakh was killed in a police encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force in Varanasi on Tuesday night, officials said.

According to additional director general of police Amitabh Yash, the gunfight took place on the Bariyasanpur Ring Road in the Chaubepur area when an STF team tried to apprehend Banarasi Yadav. He was wanted in connection with the murder of fertiliser trader Mahendra Gautam.

Police said Yadav opened fire during the operation, leading to an exchange of bullets. He suffered gunshot injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was declared dead by doctors.

Officers recovered two pistols and a large number of cartridges from the spot. Police records show that Yadav had more than two dozen criminal cases registered against him.

In the murder case of Mahendra Gautam, a case had been filed at Sarnath police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC and ST Act.

Police said another accused in the case, Arvind Yadav, also known as Fauji or Kallu Yadav from Ghazipur district, is on the run. Teams are conducting raids at suspected locations to trace him.

(with inputs from agencies)