Kanpur: Eight cops killed during an encounter with criminals
At least eight policemen lost their lives in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday when criminals opened fire at them during a raid. The incident happened in Dikru village under Chaubepur police station when cops went to nab a history-sheeter Vikas Dubey, who is named in at least 60 criminal cases. Four injured cops are undergoing treatment.
Dubey has a chequered past and is accused of murders, robberies, and kidnappings. He shot to headlines in 2001 as the main accused in the murder of Santosh Shukla, a BJP politician. In 2004, he was accused of murdering a businessman Dinesh Dubey. He is also accused of killing Siddheshwar Pandey, an Assistant Manager of Tarachand Inter College that comes under Shivali police station.
Reports suggested Dubey hatched a plan to kill his cousin Anurag in 2018, from inside Mati jail. When BSP matriarch Mayawati governed Uttar Pradesh, Dubey had a free run in areas like Shivrajpur, Chaubepur, Rania, and his wealth swelled too. He also joined the party and was elected to the nagar panchayat. It is believed he keeps a "private army" to protect himself.
Reports said teams from three police stations went for the raid after a man named Rahul Tiwari registered an 'attempt to murder' case against Dubey. As the cops approached Dubey's hideout, a heavy earthmover blocked their path. Thereafter, criminals hailed bullets from the rooftop. On getting information about the ambush, an additional police team rushed to the spot to rescue the injured cops.
Divulging more details of the incident, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police HC Awasthi said the criminals might have got an inkling about an impending raid. Reflecting the same tone, Kanpur Police Chief Dinesh Kumar said it was a planned attack. "The intention was to arrest him. There was an ambush. The firing by criminals was from three sides," he told NDTV.
A combing operation was launched soon after the incident. JN Singh, ADG Kanpur zone, informed that police teams from Kannauj and Kanpur Dehat have been called. Meanwhile, IG Kanpur Mohit Agarwal disclosed that two unidentified criminals were also killed. He said the pistol that criminals snatched from cops has been recovered. A forensic team reached the site and STF was pressed for an investigation.
The deceased cops include Deputy Superintendent of Police Devendra Mishra. Sub-inspector Mahesh Yadav, who was the station officer at Shivrajpur police station, also died in the firing. Sub-inspectors Anup Kumar, Babulal, and constables Sultan Singh, Rahul, Jitendra, and Babloo lost their lives too. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condoled the deaths and directed the administration to bring the perpetrators to justice.
"Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Ji has paid homage to the eight police personnel who sacrificed their lives while performing their duties in Kanpur Nagar district," a statement from his office read, adding that he has sought a report at the earliest.
