A wanted contract killer was gunned down in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) in Mathura district on Wednesday morning, an official statement said.
The criminal, Pankaj Yadav, used to work for the late gangsters-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari and Mohammad Shahabuddin and other gangs, the statement said.
Around 5:20 am, Yadav was injured in the encounter with the STF that took place in the Farah police station area of Mathura and was taken to the nearest health centre for treatment, where doctors pronounced him dead, the statement said.
Yadav’s accomplice managed to escape. Searches are being conducted in nearby areas to nab him, the statement added.
A .32 bore pistol, a revolver and a two-wheeler were recovered from the spot.
A native of Tahirpur village in Mau district, Pankaj Yadav had over three dozen criminal cases pending against him and a reward of Rs 1 lakh had been announced for information leading to his arrest, according to the statement.
