Goat theft gang member shot in Azamgarh encounter, pistol seized
Synopsis
A police encounter in Azamgarh, UP, ended with alleged goat thief Asif shot in the leg and arrested — but the gang's main accused, Kaleem, who carries 38 criminal cases against him, slipped away in the dark. Raids are now on to track him down.
Key Takeaways
Asif , a resident of Ashrafpur under Jiyanpur police station, was arrested following a police encounter in Azamgarh on Sunday, 4 October 2026 .
Asif allegedly opened fire at a police team and was shot in his right leg during retaliatory fire.
Police recovered a .315-bore pistol , cartridges, a two-wheeler, and ₹1,560 in cash from his possession.
Asif reportedly confessed to stealing six goats across multiple locations including Daulatpur, Samenda, and Bairiyadih.
Main accused Kaleem — with 38 registered cases — escaped under cover of darkness; police raids are underway.
Six cases were already registered against Asif; a fresh case under the Arms Act has now been added.
A member of an alleged goat theft gang, identified as Asif, a resident of Ashrafpur under Jiyanpur police station, was arrested following a police encounter in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, on Sunday. Asif sustained a gunshot injury to his right leg after he allegedly opened fire at a police team during an interception in the Shahgarh area.
How the Encounter Unfolded
According to police, a team acting on a tip-off established a cordon near the Lohari Mod culvert on the Samenda-Pura Thakurai road. When the motorcycle carrying two suspects was intercepted, Asif — who was riding pillion — allegedly fired at the police team. Officers retaliated, hitting Asif in the right leg. He was subsequently taken into custody and shifted to the district hospital for treatment, officials said.
Recoveries and Confessions
Police recovered a .315-bore pistol, cartridges, a two-wheeler, and ₹1,560 in cash from Asif's possession. During interrogation, he reportedly confessed to involvement in multiple livestock theft incidents — including stealing two goats from Daulatpur in the Sidhari area, one goat from Samenda, and three goats from Bairiyadih under Jeyanpur police station. Investigators said the ₹1,560 recovered represented his share of proceeds from the sale of the goat allegedly stolen from Samenda.
Main Accused Still at Large
The alleged key member of the gang, identified as Kaleem, a resident of Shahpur under Jiyanpur police station, managed to flee the scene under cover of darkness, according to police. Raids are currently underway at suspected locations to trace and arrest him. Police records show 38 cases registered against Kaleem, while six cases have been registered against the arrested accused Asif.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
A case has been registered against Asif under relevant sections of law, including provisions of the Arms Act. Further legal proceedings have been initiated, officials said. This comes amid a broader pattern of livestock theft cases reported across several districts of eastern Uttar Pradesh, where organised gangs have increasingly drawn police attention. Further investigation is underway, police added.
Point of View
Where organised livestock theft gangs continue to operate across multiple police station jurisdictions. That the main accused, Kaleem, carries 38 registered cases yet remains free raises questions about why he was not already in custody — a pattern critics say reflects coordination failures in tracking habitual offenders. The recovery of a firearm from an alleged goat thief also signals that what may appear to be petty crime is increasingly armed and organised. How quickly police close in on Kaleem will be a test of whether the encounter was a one-off interception or part of a sustained crackdown.
NationPress
4 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Azamgarh police encounter?
Asif, a resident of Ashrafpur under Jiyanpur police station in Azamgarh, Uttar Pradesh, was arrested after allegedly firing at a police team during a vehicle check in the Shahgarh area. He was shot in the right leg during the encounter and shifted to the district hospital for treatment.
What did police recover from the arrested accused?
Police recovered a .315-bore pistol, cartridges, a two-wheeler, and ₹1,560 in cash from Asif. Investigators said the cash was his share from the sale of a goat allegedly stolen from Samenda.
Who is Kaleem and why is he wanted?
Kaleem is the alleged main member of the goat theft gang and a resident of Shahpur under Jiyanpur police station. He managed to escape under cover of darkness during the encounter. Police records show 38 cases registered against him, and raids are currently underway to trace and arrest him.
What crimes did the accused confess to?
During interrogation, Asif reportedly confessed to stealing two goats from Daulatpur in the Sidhari area, one goat from Samenda, and three goats from Bairiyadih under Jeyanpur police station. He faces six prior registered cases in addition to the fresh Arms Act charge.
What legal action has been taken against Asif?
A case has been registered against Asif under relevant sections of law including the Arms Act, following his arrest in the encounter. Prior to this incident, six cases were already on record against him, and further investigation is underway.
