History-sheeter shot in Meerut encounter; stolen bike, pistol seized
Synopsis
A Muzaffarnagar history-sheeter with 15 criminal cases allegedly opened fire on police twice during a vehicle check in Meerut, was shot in the leg, and was arrested with a stolen motorcycle and illegal pistol. A separate Lucknow encounter the previous month netted a murder suspect carrying a ₹25,000 reward — both incidents underscoring UP Police's intensified crackdown on armed offenders.
Key Takeaways
Ajit alias Nishu , a history-sheeter from Muzaffarnagar , was shot in the left leg during a police encounter near Mawana Khurd underpass , Meerut , on 11 October 2026 .
The accused allegedly fired at police personnel twice — once at the checkpoint and once during the chase towards Niloha Road .
Police recovered a stolen motorcycle , an illegal .315-bore pistol , and cartridges from his possession.
The accused has approximately 15 criminal cases registered against him at Jansath police station .
In a separate incident, Lucknow Police arrested murder suspect Bhola Rajput , 22, in an encounter on 29 September ; he was carrying a ₹25,000 reward.
A history-sheeter from Muzaffarnagar was injured in a police encounter in Meerut district, Uttar Pradesh, on the night of 11 October 2026, after he allegedly opened fire at a police team conducting a routine vehicle-checking operation and attempted to flee on a stolen motorcycle, officials said. The accused sustained a bullet injury to his left leg and was subsequently arrested.
How the Encounter Unfolded
A police team was conducting vehicle checks near the Mawana Khurd underpass under the Mawana police station area late Sunday night when officers attempted to stop a suspicious motorcyclist. The rider allegedly opened fire at police personnel and tried to escape. During a chase towards Niloha Road, the accused allegedly fired at the police team a second time, prompting retaliatory fire that struck him in the left leg and brought the pursuit to an end.
Who Was Arrested
The arrested accused has been identified as Ajit alias Nishu, a resident of Ahraura village under the Jansath police station area of Muzaffarnagar district. According to police, he is a registered history-sheeter at the Jansath police station with approximately 15 criminal cases against him. He was taken to the Community Health Centre (CHC) in Mawana for treatment following his arrest.
Items Recovered
Officers seized a stolen motorcycle, an illegal .315-bore pistol, one empty cartridge, and one live cartridge from his possession. Further legal proceedings are underway, officials said.
Separate Encounter in Lucknow
In a distinct operation on 29 September, Lucknow Police arrested Bhola Rajput, 22, who was wanted in connection with the murder of a woman. The operation was carried out by the Krishna Nagar police and a surveillance team. Rajput, who was carrying a reward of ₹25,000, sustained a bullet injury to his right leg and was admitted to Lok Bandhu Hospital for treatment.
Police recovered an illegal .315-bore country-made pistol, one live cartridge, one empty cartridge, and the scooter used in the crime. Rajput was wanted in a murder case registered under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Deputy Commissioner of Police Md Mustaque had said that an intensive checking drive was ordered and police teams were deployed across the Krishna Nagar police station area as part of the operation.
Both encounters reflect a continuing pattern of armed confrontations between Uttar Pradesh police and suspects with prior criminal records during routine checking operations — a trend that has drawn both public commendation and scrutiny over due-process concerns.
Point of View
Both involving .315-bore weapons, both ending in leg injuries and arrests, fit a template that critics argue is shaped as much by operational convenience as by genuine threat response. The recovery of illegal firearms and stolen vehicles does establish a baseline of criminal activity, but the consistency of the pattern — suspect fires, police retaliate, suspect hit in the leg, further proceedings underway — invites questions about accountability mechanisms. UP's encounter record is among the highest of any Indian state; whether that reflects effective policing or a structural due-process gap remains a live and unresolved debate.
NationPress
12 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was injured in the Meerut police encounter on 11 October 2026?
The person injured was Ajit alias Nishu , a history-sheeter from Ahraura village in Muzaffarnagar district. He sustained a bullet injury to his left leg after allegedly firing at police during a vehicle-checking operation near the Mawana Khurd underpass in Meerut.
What items did police recover from the accused in the Meerut encounter?
Police recovered a stolen motorcycle, an illegal .315-bore pistol, one empty cartridge, and one live cartridge from the accused. He has approximately 15 criminal cases registered against him at Jansath police station.
What was the second encounter mentioned in the report?
Lucknow Police arrested Bhola Rajput, 22, in an encounter on 29 September, conducted by the Krishna Nagar police and a surveillance team. Rajput was wanted in a murder case under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and carried a ₹25,000 reward.
Under which law was Lucknow encounter accused Bhola Rajput wanted?
Bhola Rajput was wanted in a murder case registered under Section 103(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). He was admitted to Lok Bandhu Hospital after sustaining a bullet injury to his right leg during the encounter.
What is the broader pattern of UP Police encounters?
Uttar Pradesh has recorded a high frequency of police encounters involving suspects with prior criminal records during checking operations. Both incidents described involved illegal firearms and ended in suspects being shot in the leg — a pattern that has drawn both public support and due-process scrutiny from civil liberties groups.
