Barabanki police claimed to have achieved a big success after they gunned down two alleged notorious criminals in an encounter in Suratganj locality of Mohdpur Khala area.

Two policemen — an inspector and a constable — were also injured in the encounter that took pace on Thursday night in Mohdpur Khala police station area.

Superintendent of Police Ajay Sahni told media persons that after an input that two notorious criminals, carrying cash rewards on their arrest, stole a motorcycle and were roaming in the district, a police team was deputed to nab them,

The duo fired at the police team, resulting in injuries to Inspector Sumit Srivastava and constable Shamsul Hasan, he said.

The police team returned the fire and in the retaliatory firing both the criminals were injured. They were rushed to a hospital where both died.

They were identified as Zubair and Lomas, both residents of Sitapur district.

The SP said over three dozen cases were registered against the duo and they were planning to loot a bank.

Zubair and Lomas were carrying a cash reward of Rs 50,000 and Rs 25,000, respectively, on their arrest, the SP added.

The injured policemen are undergoing treatment at the district hospital.

Meanwhile, in a separate incident reported from Amethi,  a CRPF jawan posted at Ramganj group centre allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service rifle.

Deputy Superintendent Police Piyush Kant Rai said on Friday that Santosh Kumar Yadav (47), a resident of Bhind in Madhya Pradesh, was cleaning his rifle when he allegedly shot himself dead.

He said the reason behind this extreme step was not immediately known.

A case was registered and the body was sent for autopsy.