Two 'cattle smugglers' arrested after encounter in UP's Ballia

Two alleged cattle smugglers were arrested after a police encounter in Ballia of Uttar Pradesh, in the early hours of Sunday, July 26, in which one of the accused sustained a bullet injury to his leg, an official said.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Dinesh Kumar Shukla said police were checking vehicles near the Bansdih Road tri-junction at around 2.30 am when they received a tip-off about two men transporting a bovine animal for slaughter.

Acting on the lead, police tried to intercept the suspects, who allegedly opened fire with the intention to kill, the ASP said.

“Police retaliated in self-defence, in which one of the accused, Kayamuddin alias Raju (28), sustained a bullet injury in his right leg,” Shukla said.

The injured accused has been admitted to the district hospital, while his accomplice, Deepak Ansari (40) has been taken into custody, the officer said.

Police recovered a country-made pistol, cartridges and a calf from the possession of the accused, he added.