Mathura encounter: 2 inter-district gang members arrested after police shootout
Synopsis
A joint operation by Mathura's Refinery police and Anti-Reward Team ended in a roadside encounter that put two inter-district gang members in hospital and police custody simultaneously. With 24 criminal cases between them and a cache of weapons and stolen goods recovered, the arrests expose the reach of organised theft networks operating across multiple UP districts.
Key Takeaways
Two inter-district gang members — Lalu alias Sahil and Sudhir Kumar , both from Etawah — were injured and arrested in a police encounter in Mathura on 19 October .
The operation was conducted jointly by the Refinery police station team and the Mathura Anti-Reward Team .
Police recovered two pistols , cartridges, two stolen batteries, a gas cylinder, ₹99,500 in cash , and a car from the accused.
The duo face a combined 24 criminal cases registered across multiple districts of Uttar Pradesh.
The encounter is linked to a theft in Krishna Vatika Colony on the night of 10-11 October .
A separate encounter in Mathura on 5 October led to the arrest of two other wanted accused in a land-dispute case in Bajna village .
Two members of an inter-district theft gang were injured in a police encounter in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday, 19 October, and subsequently arrested, officials confirmed. The operation was jointly conducted by the Refinery police station team and the Mathura Anti-Reward Team, and led to the recovery of weapons, stolen goods, and over ₹99,500 in cash.
How the Operation Unfolded
Police received a tip-off from an informer that the wanted accused were travelling by car and planning to commit another crime. Acting swiftly, officers set up a cordon on an unpaved road near the Mathura railway station. When the team moved to intercept the suspects, the accused allegedly opened fire at the police. Officers returned fire in self-defence, injuring both men in their legs.
The two accused have been identified as Lalu alias Sahil and Sudhir Kumar, both residents of Etawah. They were admitted to a hospital for treatment and remain under police custody.
What Was Recovered
A search of the suspects and their vehicle yielded two pistols, cartridges, two stolen batteries, a gas cylinder, ₹99,500 in cash, and the car allegedly used in the commission of crimes. The haul links the duo directly to a theft reported in Krishna Vatika Colony — which falls under the jurisdiction of the Refinery police station — on the night of 10-11 October.
Scale of the Accused's Criminal Record
Circle Officer (CO) Refinery Praveen Kumar Tiwari confirmed that a case had been registered following a complaint from the theft victim, and that police had been actively searching for the accused. According to police, a combined 24 criminal cases are registered against the two men across different districts of Uttar Pradesh, underscoring the scale of the gang's alleged operations. Further legal proceedings are underway.
Second Encounter in Mathura This Month
This is the second such incident in Mathura within a fortnight. Earlier, on 5 October, the Highway police station team arrested two wanted accused — identified as Kanak, son of Kamal Singh, and Karan, son of Bhuri Singh — following an encounter linked to a land dispute in Bajna village. In that case, police had cordoned off a road near Romex School after receiving intelligence that the suspects would pass through. The accused allegedly opened fire when surrounded; Kanak sustained a gunshot injury and was taken to the district hospital under police protection. Two illegal pistols and four live cartridges were recovered from that operation as well.
Both incidents reflect a pattern of proactive anti-crime operations by Mathura Police targeting repeat offenders with multi-district footprints. The cases remain under active legal proceedings.
Point of View
It is the gaps in preventive custody and bail oversight that allow career criminals to cycle through the system and return to operation.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Mathura police encounter on 19 October?
On 19 October, a joint team from the Refinery police station and the Mathura Anti-Reward Team intercepted two inter-district gang members near the Mathura railway station after receiving a tip-off. The suspects allegedly opened fire, prompting retaliatory fire by police. Both accused — Lalu alias Sahil and Sudhir Kumar — sustained gunshot injuries to their legs and were arrested.
Who are the accused arrested in the Mathura encounter?
The accused are Lalu alias Sahil and Sudhir Kumar, both residents of Etawah, Uttar Pradesh. Police say a combined 24 criminal cases are registered against the two men across different districts of the state.
What did police recover from the accused?
Police recovered two pistols, cartridges, two stolen batteries, a gas cylinder, ₹99,500 in cash, and the car allegedly used in the crimes. The recoveries linked the duo to a theft in Krishna Vatika Colony on the night of 10-11 October.
Was there another recent encounter in Mathura?
Yes. On 5 October, Mathura's Highway police station team arrested two wanted accused — Kanak and Karan — following an encounter linked to a land dispute in Bajna village. Two illegal pistols and four live cartridges were recovered in that operation as well.
What is the current legal status of the arrested accused?
Both Lalu alias Sahil and Sudhir Kumar are under police custody and receiving hospital treatment for their injuries. Further legal proceedings are underway in both the October 19 encounter case and the earlier October 5 incident.
