On Sunday night (7 June), the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) shot dead notorious gangster Bhanu Pratap Singh alias Bablu (38) in Ayodhya. The Criminal was carrying a total reward of ₹2 lakh on his head. Police said Bhanu opened fire on the STF team when officers tried to stop him, forcing them to retaliate.
The encounter took place around 11 pm near Aemi Ghat in the Maharajganj police station area. Bhanu, a resident of Gorakhpur, died during treatment at a medical college after suffering gunshot injuries.
In recent years, the Yogi government has carried out several encounters and arrests as evidence that law enforcement acts against criminals regardless of caste or community. The government’s priority remains maintaining law and order and protecting ordinary citizens, traders, and women from criminal elements.
STF Receives Tip-Off About Movement
According to police officials, the STF received information that Bhanu Pratap Singh was travelling on a motorcycle with an accomplice and was trying to escape the area. Acting on the tip-off, STF personnel reached the spot and attempted to intercept the suspects.
However, police said Bhanu started firing at the team with a Sten gun. The STF returned fire, and Bhanu suffered bullet injuries during the exchange. His associate managed to flee under the cover of darkness. Police have launched a search operation to trace and arrest the absconding accomplice.
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STF Rushes Injured Gangster to Hospital
STF Inspector J.P. Rai informed Maharajganj police about the encounter and sought additional support. Local police teams quickly reached the scene and assisted STF personnel.
Officials said the STF immediately called for an ambulance after the encounter. When the ambulance failed to arrive on time, STF officers themselves transported the injured gangster to the Community Health Centre (CHC) at Pura Bazar.
Doctors provided initial treatment and later referred him to the Medical College in Darshannagar due to the seriousness of his injuries. Despite medical efforts, Bhanu Pratap Singh died during treatment.
Long Criminal Record Across Several Districts
Police said Bhanu Pratap Singh as a hardcore criminal with a long history of serious offences. He faced 41 criminal cases, including murder, robbery, extortion, and other violent crimes.
One of the major cases against him involved the murder of a dairy businessman. Law enforcement agencies had searched for him for a long time because of his involvement in multiple criminal activities across eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Several districts had announced rewards for information leading to his arrest. Azamgarh Police had declared a reward of ₹1 lakh, Ambedkar Nagar Police ₹50,000, Gorakhpur Police ₹25,000, and Basti Police ₹15,000. Together, the rewards amounted to ₹2 lakh.
