Notorious Gangster Shot Dead in Police Encounter

In a police and SOG operation, a wanted gangster named Iftikhar, also known by aliases Shaitan and Soldier, was killed in an encounter near Bilwa bridge. He was involved in numerous criminal cases, including dacoity and murder. An accomplice escaped, and efforts are ongoing to capture him.

A gangster with multiple criminal cases met his end in a police operation. The Special Operations Group (SOG) joined district police in a shootout at Bilwa bridge on Nainital Road, killing the wanted criminal known as Iftikhar, alias Shaitan or Soldier. The encounter left a constable injured, officials confirmed.

Iftikhar, implicated in several dacoity and murder cases across seven districts, was a notorious figure with 19 cases against him. He had amassed a Rs 1 lakh bounty and had managed to evade capture multiple times. At the scene, police recovered a .32 bore pistol, two magazines, 17 live rounds, cash, a mobile phone, and an unregistered motorcycle.

Senior Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya noted that the criminal had previously escaped custody and had been involved in a high-profile temple murder. While Iftikhar was neutralized, one of his partners escaped into the forest. Police are continuing their manhunt for the fugitive accomplice.

(With inputs from agencies.)