Two men accused of stealing mobile phones in crowded public areas were arrested in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday, 3 November, with one of them sustaining a gunshot injury to his leg during a retaliatory exchange of fire with police in the Bhangel area, officials said. The arrests mark another instance of Uttar Pradesh Police using encounter operations to apprehend suspects with prior criminal records.

How the Arrests Unfolded

The first accused, identified as Aman Chaturvedi, was shot in the leg when miscreants opened fire at a police team and officers returned fire in Bhangel, Noida, according to officials. The second accused, Akash Yadav, was apprehended during a subsequent combing operation in the area. Both men are alleged to have operated as a team, targeting mobile phones in densely crowded public spaces.

Police recovered four stolen mobile phones and a stolen motorcycle from the duo's possession. Separately, an illegal firearm, two live cartridges, and one spent cartridge case were seized from the injured accused, Chaturvedi.

Chaturvedi's Criminal History

Investigations revealed that Aman Chaturvedi already has several criminal cases registered against him, including charges of murder and attempt to murder, according to officials. Chaturvedi has been admitted to a hospital and is receiving medical treatment. Police said further action in the case is underway.

Linked Encounter in Mainpuri the Same Day

In a separate but similar incident also reported on Tuesday, 3 November, police in Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh, arrested a suspect in a vehicle-robbery case following another encounter on Ghiror Road, within the jurisdiction of the Kurawali police station.

The accused, identified as Abhimanyu, also known as 'Raja' or 'Honey', was shot in the leg during retaliatory police firing. His two accomplices — identified only as Chhotu and Dhruv — fled the scene and are currently being searched for, officials said.

According to police, the vehicle robbery took place on the night of 26–27 October within the Kurawali police station area. Abhimanyu and his associates had allegedly hired a four-wheeled vehicle from Auraiya district. During the journey, they asked the driver to stop the vehicle under the pretext of relieving themselves. As soon as the driver stopped, the suspects forcibly removed him from the vehicle, stole it, and fled the scene, officials said.

Investigation and Police Action

Following extensive investigation, a police team acted on credible information and conducted the operation on Ghiror Road, leading to the encounter in which Abhimanyu was shot. Chhotu and Dhruv remain at large. Abhimanyu has been admitted to hospital for treatment while the search for his accomplices continues.

The two encounters on the same day underscore a pattern in Uttar Pradesh, where police have increasingly deployed encounter operations against repeat offenders and organised criminal networks. Authorities have not yet clarified timelines for formal charges against the arrested accused.