The Meerut Special Task Force (STF) and Baghpat Police shot dead wanted sharpshooter Vipul alias Khooni during an encounter on Saturday (July 25) evening in the Singhavali Ahir area of Baghpat district.
According to police, the encounter began around 6 pm near Saidpur village after security teams surrounded the accused based on a tip-off. Vipul allegedly opened fire on the police team when he realised he was trapped. Police returned fire, and both sides exchanged around 12 rounds.
Vipul suffered four bullet injuries during the encounter. Police rushed him to Pilana Community Health Centre and later shifted him to the district hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Police recovered two pistols, a motorcycle and several empty cartridges from the encounter site.
Wanted in Murder and Extortion Case
Police said Vipul had been absconding in a murder and extortion case. He had secured bail in a murder case but stopped appearing before the court. The court had already issued warrants for his arrest.
Investigators said he recently demanded money from the brother of a murder victim, claiming he needed funds to fight the court case. He also allegedly threatened to kill him if he refused to pay. Following the complaint, police registered another case and announced a reward of ₹50,000 for his arrest.
Police Explain How the Operation Unfolded
Baghpat SP Suraj Kumar Rai said the STF and local police received information that Vipul was hiding near Saidpur village under Singhavali Ahir police station limits.
The teams surrounded the area, but Vipul allegedly fired at them instead of surrendering. Police responded in self-defence, leading to the gunfight that ended with the accused sustaining fatal injuries.
Long Criminal Record Across UP and Delhi
Police identified Vipul as a resident of Bhabhisa village in Shamli district. He worked as a sharpshooter for the Sushil Mooch Gang.
He faced 38 criminal cases in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi. The charges included murder, robbery, extortion, kidnapping and other serious offences. Police records linked him to cases in Shamli, Baghpat, Muzaffarnagar, Saharanpur, Meerut and Delhi.
Crime History Began in 2005
Police said Vipul entered the crime world in 2005. His first case involved a violent attack after trespassing into a house.
Over the years, investigators linked him to several major crimes:
- 2008: Murdered businessman Ravindra Sangal on Kairana Road in Shamli.
- 2014: Named in a kidnapping case in Baghpat’s Khekra area.
- 2014: Allegedly lured gangster Bhim Bhabhisa to a woman’s house in Elam village and killed him with iron rods along with his associates.
- 2017: Allegedly robbed a car in Saharanpur and later murdered a woman village head after suspecting she had informed the police.
Police said his criminal activities continued for nearly two decades before Saturday’s encounter brought his crime trail to an end.
