Lucknow, Dec 18 (NationPress) In Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur and Ballia districts, two cow smugglers sustained injuries, while one was apprehended during two distinct police encounters, officials confirmed on Thursday.

In Jaunpur, late Wednesday night, a confrontation occurred between law enforcement and cow smugglers in the Khuthan police station jurisdiction. During the exchange of gunfire, a notorious cow smuggler was shot and injured as the police retaliated, while one of his accomplices was captured after being encircled by the police. Items recovered from the scene included a Swift car with no registration plates, a homemade pistol, two empty cartridges, and a sum of cash, as reported by police.

Officer Chandan Kumar Rai of Khuthan Police Station, accompanied by the police and crime unit, was stationed near the Marhat culvert upon receiving intelligence about an unregistered vehicle approaching from Gabhiran. Acting promptly on this tip-off, the police cordoned off the area and initiated vehicle checks.

A suspicious vehicle soon arrived, and when the police attempted to stop it, the occupants opened fire. During the ensuing exchange, Rohit Yadav, a resident of Ghughuri Sultanpur under the Sarpataha police station area of Jaunpur, was injured by a bullet.

While one suspect initially escaped, he was later apprehended. The detained individual has been identified as Sajid, a resident of Patela village under the jurisdiction of Khuthan police station.

Rohit Yadav was promptly transported to the Community Health Centre in Khuthan for medical attention and later referred to the district hospital. A case has been filed at Khuthan police station under the appropriate sections, with further investigations ongoing.

According to police sources, Rohit Yadav has over two dozen serious criminal cases against him spanning various districts, including charges related to cow smuggling, the Gangster Act, the NDPS Act, and the Arms Act.

A separate case has been documented against the arrested suspect, Sajid, following relevant legal provisions.

In another incident in Ballia district, a wanted suspect in a cow slaughter case was detained following an altercation with police. The suspect was shot in the leg during the police's self-defense firing and was subsequently admitted to the Community Health Centre in Sonbarsa for treatment.

This encounter unfolded around 11 p.m. on Wednesday when the Bairia police station team was conducting a routine night patrol. They received information from an informer regarding a wanted individual in a cow slaughter case near the Brahmababa site in Chanddiar. The police quickly arrived at the location, attempting to surround and apprehend the suspect.

Faced with police encirclement, the suspect opened fire with lethal intent. The police responded defensively, injuring the assailant in his left leg, leading to his arrest. He was promptly taken to the Community Health Centre in Sonbarsa for medical care.

The detained individual has been identified as Amit Yadav, 21, a resident of Kohra village under Shahganj police station in Jaunpur district.

During questioning, Amit Yadav admitted to transporting 23 cattle in a truck with the registration number UP62 T 4025 to Bihar on December 17. He explained that upon noticing heightened police presence near Thekha Dhala, he abandoned the truck and fled. He had been on the run since then and was wanted.

Police recovered an illegal .315-bore pistol, one empty cartridge, and one live cartridge from his possession. A case has been initiated against him under the Cow Slaughter Prevention Act and other relevant sections, with further legal measures being pursued, officials stated.