Mathura encounter: 3 cattle thieves shot, cash and weapons seized
Synopsis
A police patrol in Mathura's Jait jurisdiction cornered a cattle-smuggling gang that opened fire first — three accused were shot in the legs, and officers walked away with ₹1,04,000 in cash, three tamanchas, and a haul of live ammunition. The gang's wider network is now under investigation.
Key Takeaways
A police encounter with an alleged cattle-theft gang took place under Jait Police Station , Mathura , on 25 May 2025 .
Three accused sustained bullet injuries to their legs after allegedly opening fire at police; all three were apprehended at the scene.
Police recovered ₹1,04,000 in cash, three country-made pistols (tamanchas) , live cartridges, and empty shells.
All injured accused are under treatment at a nearby hospital under police supervision .
Authorities are working to identify other gang members and investigate the criminal histories of those arrested.
Three alleged cattle thieves sustained bullet injuries during a police encounter in Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, on Monday, 25 May, officials said. The gunfight broke out under the jurisdiction of Jait Police Station when a patrol team intercepted a suspected smuggling gang during a vehicle-checking operation. Police recovered ₹1,04,000 in cash, three country-made pistols, live cartridges, and empty shells from the accused.
How the Encounter Unfolded
According to police, personnel from Jait Police Station were conducting checks on suspicious vehicles and individuals linked to cattle smuggling in the area when they identified a suspected gang of cattle thieves. Upon spotting the police team, the accused initially attempted to flee. When they realised they were surrounded, they allegedly opened fire directly at the officers.
Police retaliated in self-defence, and during the exchange of gunfire, three accused sustained bullet injuries to their legs and fell to the ground. Officers swiftly apprehended all three at the scene and secured the area.
Recoveries from the Accused
Following the arrests, police seized ₹1,04,000 in cash from the accused's possession. Investigators also recovered three country-made pistols — commonly referred to as tamanchas — along with a large quantity of live cartridges and empty shells from the encounter site.
Condition of the Injured Accused
All three injured men were immediately shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment under police supervision, officials confirmed. 'The three criminals injured in the encounter have been immediately admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment,' police said in a statement.
Investigation Underway
Authorities have confirmed that efforts are underway to identify other members of the gang and establish the criminal background of the three arrested individuals. Legal proceedings in connection with the case are currently in progress. Cattle smuggling has been a persistent law-and-order concern across western Uttar Pradesh, and encounters involving suspected thieves have drawn both public attention and scrutiny from rights groups in recent years.
Point of View
Particularly in the western districts. While officials consistently frame these as acts of self-defence, the pattern of leg-shot injuries and near-identical narratives across incidents invites scrutiny about due process. The recovery of cash and weapons lends credibility to this specific operation, but the broader accountability question — whether encounter-led policing substitutes for systematic dismantling of smuggling networks — remains unanswered. Until gang hierarchies are prosecuted rather than simply disrupted, the cycle is unlikely to break.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Mathura police encounter on 25 May 2025?
Three alleged cattle thieves were shot and injured during a police encounter under Jait Police Station in Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, on 25 May 2025. Police said the accused opened fire first during a vehicle-checking operation, and officers retaliated in self-defence.
What was recovered from the accused in the Mathura encounter?
Police recovered ₹1,04,000 in cash, three country-made pistols (tamanchas), a large quantity of live cartridges, and empty shells from the encounter site and the possession of the accused.
What is the condition of the three injured accused?
All three accused sustained bullet injuries to their legs and were immediately admitted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment under police supervision, according to officials.
Is the investigation into the cattle-smuggling gang ongoing?
Yes. Police have said they are actively working to identify other members linked to the gang and to establish the criminal backgrounds of the three arrested individuals. Legal proceedings are currently underway.
Where did the Mathura encounter take place?
The encounter took place within the jurisdiction of Jait Police Station in Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh, during a routine checking operation targeting suspicious vehicles and individuals linked to cattle smuggling.
