Hazaribag: Two alleged active members of the Rahul Dubey gang were arrested after encounter with police near Bukru village under Keredari police station limits in the early hours of Friday. One of them sustained a bullet injury in his right leg during the exchange of fire. A country-made pistol, a motorcycle and three mobile phones were recovered from them.Hazaribag SP Aman Kumar said the operation was launched based on inputs that two armed criminals on a motorcycle were moving near the transport route of the Chandragupt Coal Mining Project and the Bukru-Pachra Road barrier. Police suspected the duo had arrived to threaten transporters and collect levy on behalf of the Rahul Dubey gang.At around 3:20 am, a police team led by Barkagaon sub-divisional police officer Amit Anand spotted two men on a motorbike near Bukru forest. The duo tried to escape through the forest after spotting the cops. Police gave them a chase, during which the motorcycle skidded. Both suspects then abandoned the bike and ran into the forest, officials said.Police said one of the accused opened fire at the team, firing three rounds while attempting to flee. The team warned him to surrender, but he allegedly fired again. In self-defence, police retaliated with three rounds, one of which hit the accused in the right leg. He collapsed at the spot, and the firearm allegedly used by him fell beside him. The second accused was overpowered and arrested.The injured suspect was shifted under police escort to Barkagaon Community Health Centre and later referred to Sheikh Bhikhari Medical College and Hospital, Hazaribag, for better treatment.During interrogation, the arrested men allegedly admitted they were active members of the Rahul Dubey gang. They told police they had recently threatened personnel engaged in transportation work for the Chandragupt mining project after failing to receive levy. They also disclosed that they had fired in the transport area to create fear before fleeing.The arrested accused were identified as Md Rafiq Afzal, a resident of Chepa Khurd under Dadikala OP in Barkagaon police station area, and Jitendra Soni, a resident of Chatti Bariatu under Pagar OP in Keredari police station area. Both are from Hazaribag district.Police said raids are continuing to trace other members of the Rahul Dubey gang. Further investigation is underway.
A gun which was recovered at the site of encounter
