Varanasi: In three separate encounters in Azamgarh district on Saturday night, police arrested three criminals wanted in cases of cow slaughter, robbery, and attempted murder. The criminals were hospitalised after suffering bullet injuries in their legs in the encounters.Providing details of the late-night actions, Azamgarh ASP (city) Madhuvan Kumar Singh on Sunday said that the Gambhirpur police succeeded in intercepting three persons moving on a motorcycle with some packets near Djarnipur-Vishaya turning. On seeing cops, they tried to take a U-turn when their motorcycle slipped, and they tried to open fire at the police team in their bid to escape.During retaliatory action by police, one of them suffered bullet injury in the leg and was caught, while the two others managed to escape. The injured criminal was identified as Shadab Ahmad (40) of Kamrawa village. Police recovered 65 kg beef, a pistol, cartridges, and a motorcycle from him. He divulged that he, along with his brothers, including Sarfaraz and Rayees Ahmed, butchered a stray animal and was going to sell its meat.Earlier, a team from Tarwan police station arrested Ramesh Yadav alias Anar Yadav following an exchange of fire in Bahlolpur area. Police recovered a firearm, cartridges, and a motorcycle from him. He was on police radar ever since he escaped after opening fire at an auto driver over old enmity on March 22.A looter, Dharmendra Singh alias Abhishek of Chaklalchan, was also arrested after an exchange of fire with Kotwali cops near Mohati Ghat. Police recovered stolen items, including a motorcycle, laptop, mobile phone, and bag, apart from a firearm and cartridges. He was on the radar after looting a laptop, mobile, and motorcycle on March 25.
