Three animal smugglers were shot and arrested in a police encounter.

Jaunpur 2 september:-(desk) In a joint operation by the police teams of three police stations in the district, an encounter took place with animal smugglers in Pateela, Sarpataha police station area, on Saturday night. In the retaliatory firing by the police, all three animal smugglers were shot in the legs. They were then arrested.

Police Encounter with Animal Smugglers
A joint police team from three police stations in the district had set up a checking point near Sarpataha Mod after receiving information about cattle smugglers transporting cows for slaughter from Soorapur, Sultanpur towards Shahganj.

When the police signaled a speeding pickup truck to stop, the driver tried to run over the police and the passengers opened fire at the police team. The pickup sped towards Pattinrendrapur. The police teams from Sarpataha, Khuthan and Shahganj gave chase.

Near Pateela Mod, the pickup was surrounded by the joint police team. Seeing themselves cornered, the smugglers tried to flee towards Pateela while firing at the police. In self-defense, the police fired back, injuring all three smugglers. They were then arrested.

The injured smugglers were identified as:

Shahabuddin from Ledarheen village, Khetasarai - bullet injury below right knee
Mohammad Arshad from Majdeeha, Shahganj - bullet injury below left knee
Govind Kumar from Badauna, Shahganj area - bullet injury below left knee

The police have registered a case against the arrested cattle smugglers and further legal action is being taken.
In the last 8 months from January to August, there have been 32 police encounters in the district, in which 34 people were injured and 2 killed. The police had announced rewards on the two deceased smugglers.