Mathura encounter: Two chain snatchers arrested, one shot in leg after police face-off
Synopsis
A late-night vehicle-check operation in Mathura turned into an encounter when two wanted chain snatchers allegedly opened fire on police. One suspect, Suraj alias Kalia, was shot in the leg; both were arrested with an illegal pistol, stolen gold chain, and the motorcycle used in the crime — a reminder of the persistent street-crime challenge facing western Uttar Pradesh.
Key Takeaways
Two alleged chain snatchers were arrested after an encounter with Mathura Police near Koyla Alipur on the night of 9 October 2026 .
Accused Suraj alias Kalia , 28 , sustained a bullet injury in his left leg after allegedly firing at police; he was hospitalised under custody.
Second accused Prakash , approximately 25 , was also arrested; a stolen gold chain was recovered from him.
Police recovered an illegal pistol , two live cartridges , and one spent cartridge along with the Apache motorcycle used in the crime.
Both accused were already wanted under FIR No.
288/2026 , Section 304(2) BNS ; further investigation is ongoing.
Two alleged chain snatchers were arrested following a late-night encounter with police in the Refinery police station area of Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, on 9 October 2026, with one accused sustaining a bullet injury in his left leg after reportedly opening fire on officers, officials said on Saturday. Police recovered an illegal pistol, ammunition, a stolen gold chain, and the motorcycle used in the crime from the two accused.
How the Encounter Unfolded
Acting on a tip-off from an informer, personnel from the Refinery police station and the Anti-Reward Team set up a vehicle-checking operation on the road leading towards Raya near Koyla Alipur at around 10.20 pm on 9 October. The two suspects were spotted riding an Apache motorcycle and signalled to stop.
According to police, upon spotting the officers, the riders attempted to flee. Their motorcycle lost balance and fell after an abrupt turn. The two suspects then allegedly opened fire at the police personnel with the intention of causing harm. Officers retaliated in self-defence, during which one of the accused was shot in his left leg and fell to the ground.
Who the Accused Are
The injured accused, identified as Suraj alias Kalia, 28, son of Jagdish, is a resident of Roshan Vihar under the Jamunapar police station area of Mathura. An illegal pistol, two live cartridges, and one spent cartridge were recovered from his possession.
The second accused, identified as Prakash, approximately 25, son of Hariom, also resides in Roshan Vihar under the Jamunapar police station area. A stolen gold chain was recovered from him. The Apache motorcycle used in the incident was also seized by police.
Background and Prior Criminal Record
According to police, the two men were already wanted in connection with a case registered under FIR No. 288/2026, Section 304(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Investigators had received credible intelligence that the accused were planning another criminal incident before the operation was launched.
This comes amid a broader push by Uttar Pradesh Police to crack down on street crime and chain-snatching gangs, which have seen a spate of incidents across the state's western districts in recent months.
Current Status and Next Steps
Following the encounter, Suraj was taken to a hospital under police custody for medical treatment. Further legal proceedings against both accused are underway at the Refinery police station, Mathura. The investigation continues to establish the full extent of the accused's alleged involvement in chain-snatching cases and any other criminal activities they may be linked to.
Point of View
And this incident fits a familiar template — a tip-off, a roadblock, alleged firing by suspects, and a retaliatory shot. What the episode surfaces is a more structural question: the two accused were already wanted under an existing FIR, yet were allegedly planning a fresh crime. That points to gaps in the fugitive-tracking machinery, not just street policing. The recovery of an illegal firearm alongside a stolen chain also signals that what begins as property crime can escalate rapidly. The investigation's next task — mapping the accused's full criminal network — will determine whether this was an isolated arrest or a meaningful disruption.
NationPress
10 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened in the Mathura police encounter on 9 October 2026?
Police from the Refinery police station and the Anti-Reward Team intercepted two wanted chain snatchers near Koyla Alipur in Mathura late on 9 October. The suspects allegedly opened fire on officers; police retaliated in self-defence, injuring one accused in the leg. Both men were subsequently arrested.
Who are the accused arrested in the Mathura encounter?
The two accused are Suraj alias Kalia, 28, son of Jagdish, and Prakash, approximately 25, son of Hariom. Both are residents of Roshan Vihar under the Jamunapar police station area of Mathura and were already wanted under FIR No. 288/2026.
What was recovered from the accused?
Police recovered an illegal pistol, two live cartridges, and one spent cartridge from Suraj, and a stolen gold chain from Prakash. The Apache motorcycle the two were riding was also seized.
What charges were the accused already facing?
Both accused were wanted in a case registered under FIR No. 288/2026, Section 304(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Police said they had received intelligence that the duo were planning another criminal incident before the operation was launched.
What is the current status of the two arrested men?
Suraj is receiving medical treatment at a hospital under police custody following the bullet injury to his left leg. Both accused face further legal proceedings at the Refinery police station, Mathura, and the investigation is ongoing.
