Two criminals carrying rewards of Rs 50,000 each for their arrest, were gunned down in an encounter with the police in Ramnagar area of Barabanki early Saturday morning.
The police said that the police intercepted two motorbike-borne suspects during routine patrolling near Chirota bridge in Ramnagar around 2:30 am on Saturday. Instead of identifyingthemselves before the police, the criminals opened fire and tried to escape. SHO of Tikaitnagar police KK Misra, a sub-inspector and a constable were injured in the firing.
In retaliatory firing both criminals were injured and werelater rushed to Ramnagar Primary Health Center where they succumbed to their injuries.
The slain criminals were identified as Bawariya gang members, Mushir of Bareilly and Ibahim. They had 18 criminal cases of loot, dacoity and murder registered against them in several police stations. Rewards of Rs 50,000 were also announced for their arrest.
Injured policemen were shifted to the district hospital where their condition was stated to be out of danger.