Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh — A notorious criminal with a Rs 50,000 police bounty on his head was shot and injured during a police encounter in Raebareli in the early hours of Sunday, April 27, 2025. The suspect, identified as Najmuddin, a resident of Bareilly, sustained a bullet injury to his leg and was subsequently arrested. The operation was conducted under Uttar Pradesh Police's ongoing special crackdown initiative, 'Operation Langda'.

How the Encounter Unfolded

The incident took place near an ITBP (Indo-Tibetan Border Police) post within the jurisdiction of the Dalmau Kotwali police station during a routine patrol and vehicle-checking drive. Police personnel deployed for surveillance flagged down a container truck for inspection.

Upon spotting the police team, the occupants of the truck allegedly attempted to flee. When intercepted, the accused reportedly opened fire on the officers, prompting the police to retaliate in self-defence.

During the exchange of fire, Najmuddin was struck by a bullet in the leg. His accomplice, who was travelling with him, managed to escape the scene and remains at large. A manhunt has been launched to trace and apprehend the absconding individual.

Accused Profile and Recovered Items

Najmuddin is described by police as a habitual offender with an extensive criminal history, carrying a reward of Rs 50,000 announced by law enforcement authorities. He is a resident of Bareilly district in Uttar Pradesh.

Following the encounter, police recovered a country-made pistol, live ammunition, and the container truck from his possession. Najmuddin was taken into custody immediately after the incident and shifted to the district hospital for medical treatment.

What Is Operation Langda

Operation Langda is a targeted law enforcement campaign launched by the Uttar Pradesh Police beginning in May 2025 to systematically neutralise habitual criminals and repeat offenders across the state. The operation employs a 'shoot-to-disable' methodology, where officers are directed to aim at the legs of suspects during encounters rather than using lethal force.

The strategy is designed to incapacitate dangerous criminals while keeping them alive for interrogation and legal proceedings. Since its launch, the operation has resulted in multiple arrests of wanted criminals across various districts of Uttar Pradesh.

Critics of such encounter policies have consistently raised questions about due process and accountability, while law enforcement officials argue the approach is a proportionate response to armed and dangerous offenders who pose an immediate threat to public safety.

Broader Law and Order Context in UP

The Raebareli encounter is the latest in a series of high-profile police actions under the Yogi Adityanath government's aggressive anti-crime drive in Uttar Pradesh. The state has witnessed hundreds of such encounters since 2017, drawing both praise from citizens demanding law and order and scrutiny from human rights organisations.

This comes amid a broader push by UP Police to reduce organised crime, especially gang-related activity involving illegal arms and inter-district criminal networks. The use of container trucks as cover by criminal networks to evade detection is an emerging trend that police say they are actively monitoring.

Notably, the proximity of the encounter to an ITBP post raises questions about the operational coordination between central paramilitary forces and state police — a collaboration that has been increasingly formalised in recent months under joint anti-crime frameworks.

What Happens Next

Authorities are actively pursuing Najmuddin's absconding accomplice, with police teams deployed across multiple districts. A formal case has been registered and an investigation is underway to determine the full extent of the criminal network the accused were part of.

Najmuddin will face legal proceedings once he recovers from his injuries. Given his criminal history and the nature of the charges — including illegal arms possession and firing upon police personnel — he is likely to face multiple serious charges under the Indian Penal Code and the Arms Act.

As Operation Langda continues to expand its reach across Uttar Pradesh, more such encounters are anticipated in the coming weeks, with police maintaining heightened surveillance on wanted criminals and known offenders.