Four arrested in Bareilly after police encounter over illegal cattle slaughter
Synopsis
A Monday night tip-off led Bareilly police straight to a group allegedly mid-preparation for illegal cattle slaughter near the Persona Canal. The encounter that followed left two accused with gunshot wounds to their legs, a fifth suspect on the run, and a supply chain — allegedly traced back to one Shakir Khan — now under investigation.
Key Takeaways
Four individuals were arrested by Bithri Chainpur Police in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh on 18 August over alleged illegal cattle slaughter.
A police encounter broke out during the raid near the Persona Canal ; Naseem and Rashid sustained gunshot wounds to their legs and were hospitalised.
The arrested accused have been identified as Junaid , Rashid , Naseem , and Mohammad Fajar .
A fifth suspect, Mohammad Qasim Qureshi , reportedly escaped during the operation and remains at large.
Investigators say the accused alleged that the bovine animal was supplied by Shakir Khan of Persona; the claim is under investigation.
Equipment allegedly meant for slaughter was recovered; legal proceedings have been initiated.
Four individuals allegedly caught preparing for illegal cattle slaughter were arrested following a police encounter near the Persona Canal in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday, 18 August, according to officials. Two of the accused sustained gunshot injuries during the operation and were hospitalised, while a fifth suspect reportedly fled the scene.
How the Raid Unfolded
The Bithri Chainpur Police acted on a tip-off received on Monday, dispatching a team to the area near the Persona Canal. Officers found the four accused allegedly in the process of preparing for the illegal slaughter, officials said. During the arrest operation, a police encounter broke out, leading to the injuries.
The Accused Identified
Police identified the four arrested individuals as Junaid, a resident of Qutub Shah ki Ziarat in the Baradari area; Rashid, a resident of Jagatpur Gotiya in Baradari; Naseem, a resident of Persona under the Bithri Chainpur police station limits; and Mohammad Fajar, also a resident of Persona. A fifth suspect, Mohammad Qasim Qureshi, son of Raees and a resident of Mohalla Court under the Baradari police station, reportedly managed to escape during the operation and remains at large.
Injuries and Medical Status
Naseem and Rashid sustained gunshot wounds to their legs during the encounter, according to officials. Both were immediately shifted to a hospital, where their medical condition is being monitored. The remaining two arrested individuals were not reported to have suffered injuries.
Equipment Seized, Probe Under Way
Police recovered equipment allegedly intended for cattle slaughter from the accused, officials said. During questioning, the arrested individuals allegedly told investigators that the bovine animal involved had been provided by one Shakir Khan, a resident of Persona — a claim that is part of the ongoing investigation. Legal proceedings have been initiated in connection with the case, and further investigation is under way.
This incident comes amid sustained enforcement action against illegal cattle slaughter across Uttar Pradesh, where such activities attract stringent penalties under state law. The search for the absconding suspect, Mohammad Qasim Qureshi, is reportedly continuing.
Point of View
Injuries to suspects, and at least one accused absconding. What the investigation must now establish is the full supply chain: the alleged role of Shakir Khan as the animal's provider suggests an organised network, not an isolated incident. Whether investigators pursue those upstream links with the same urgency as the on-ground arrests will determine whether this case amounts to meaningful enforcement or a recurring cycle of visible action with limited structural impact.
NationPress
18 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Bareilly cattle slaughter case on 18 August?
Bithri Chainpur Police arrested four individuals allegedly caught preparing for illegal cattle slaughter near the Persona Canal in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh on 18 August. A police encounter broke out during the raid, leaving two accused with gunshot wounds to their legs.
Who are the accused arrested in the Bareilly case?
The four arrested individuals are Junaid (Qutub Shah ki Ziarat, Baradari), Rashid (Jagatpur Gotiya, Baradari), Naseem (Persona, Bithri Chainpur), and Mohammad Fajar (Persona, Bithri Chainpur). A fifth suspect, Mohammad Qasim Qureshi of Mohalla Court, Baradari, reportedly fled during the operation.
Were any police personnel or accused injured in the encounter?
Two of the accused — Naseem and Rashid — sustained gunshot wounds to their legs during the encounter, according to officials. Both were shifted to a hospital and are under medical observation. No police injuries were reported in official statements.
What evidence did police recover from the scene?
Police recovered equipment allegedly intended for cattle slaughter from the accused. Investigators also say the arrested individuals claimed the bovine animal was provided by Shakir Khan, a resident of Persona, a lead that is being pursued as part of the ongoing investigation.
What action is being taken against the absconding suspect?
Mohammad Qasim Qureshi, who reportedly escaped during the raid, is being actively sought by police. Legal proceedings have been initiated against those already in custody, and the search for the fifth accused is reportedly continuing.
