Murder accused killed in Agra police encounter, two other injured in separate shootouts

Agra/Lucknow: A man accused in a recent murder case and carrying a reward of Rs 25,000 was killed in a police encounter in Agra on Thursday after he allegedly tried to escape by snatching a police officer’s weapon and opening fire, officials said.

The accused, identified as Arbaaz Mansuri, had been arrested earlier in the day. Police said he was being taken to recover a country-made pistol believed to have been used in the killing of Raj Chauhan, who was shot dead inside a hotel in the Trans Yamuna area on January 23. Several people were allegedly involved in the crime, and special teams had been formed to trace and arrest them.

Deputy commissioner of police Syed Ali Abbas said the incident took place near Kanshiram Awas in the Tedi Bagiya locality during the recovery operation. According to police, Mansuri suddenly snatched a sub-inspector’s service pistol and began firing at the team in an attempt to flee.

Sub-inspector Rishi and constable Manoj Kumar sustained gunshot injuries in the exchange of fire. Two station house officers, Harendra Kumar of Trans Yamuna police station and Bhanu Pratap of Kotwali, were also caught in the firing, but bullets struck their bulletproof jackets, preventing serious injuries.

Police returned fire and Mansuri was hit by bullets in his chest and leg. He was taken to a district hospital and later referred to SN Medical College, where doctors declared him dead.

In separate encounters linked to the same murder case, two other wanted accused carrying rewards of Rs 25,000 each were injured. Ashu was shot during a police operation in the Trans Yamuna area, while Mohit was injured in an encounter under the Dauki police station limits.

Police said two country-made pistols and cartridges were recovered from the injured accused. The wounded policemen and the two arrested suspects are currently undergoing treatment at hospitals in Agra.

(with inputs from agencies)