Two criminals arrested after police encounters in UP's Bahraich
Synopsis
Two wanted gang members were arrested in Bahraich, UP, after separate encounters that unfolded across two police jurisdictions in a single night — one near Khaira Bazar and the second close to the Nepal border at Nanpara. With 24 cases against Naseem alone and stolen cash and jewellery recovered, the arrests signal an intensifying police crackdown on organised criminal networks in Uttar Pradesh's border belt.
Key Takeaways
Jabir (alias Zakir) and Naseem were arrested in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh on 20 October following two separate police encounters.
The first encounter occurred near Khaira Bazar under Baundi police station jurisdiction late on Monday night.
Naseem was apprehended near Bajariya Mor, Nanpara while allegedly fleeing toward Nepal .
Naseem has 24 criminal cases registered against him; both accused have extensive criminal records.
Police recovered cash , gold jewellery , and silver jewellery from the accused.
Both suspects sustained gunshot wounds in retaliatory firing and are under medical care.
Two hardened criminals with extensive records were arrested in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, on Tuesday, 20 October, following separate police encounters in different police station jurisdictions across the district. Both individuals sustained gunshot wounds in retaliatory firing and were admitted to a hospital, according to officials.
The First Encounter: Baundi Police Station
The first incident unfolded late on Monday night near Khaira Bazar, under the jurisdiction of the Baundi police station. Acting on a tip-off, a police team from Baundi and the Special Operations Group (SOG) surrounded two suspects — Jabir (alias Zakir) and his associate Naseem — who were allegedly planning a major crime in the area.
Cornered by the police cordon, the two men opened fire. In the retaliatory exchange, Jabir was wounded and taken into custody, while Naseem managed to flee in a vehicle. The police immediately set up roadblocks and launched a search operation for the absconding suspect.
The Second Encounter: Naseem Cornered Near Nepal Border
Intelligence inputs indicated that the vehicle carrying Naseem was heading toward Nepal via Nanpara. The Nanpara police intercepted and pursued the car. Upon reaching a deserted stretch near Bajariya Mor, Naseem allegedly opened fire on the pursuing officers. Police returned fire in self-defence; Naseem was struck in the leg, collapsed, and was immediately rushed to hospital.
Authorities recovered cash, gold jewellery, and silver jewellery from both accused following their arrests, officials confirmed.
What Officials Said
Superintendent of Police Vishwajeet Srivastava said a combing operation was already underway in Bahraich. 'A combing operation was underway in Bahraich. Around 10 PM, the Station House Officer of the Baundi police station and an SOG team received information that a suspect, who had escaped from Khairighat earlier that same day, was in the Baundi police station area. A checkpoint was set up, leading to an encounter with the police,' he said.
SP Srivastava added: 'During the exchange of fire, Jabir Zakir was struck by a bullet, while another individual managed to flee in a car. Following this, intensive checks were initiated. The Nanpara police received information near Bajariya Mor that a car matching the description had been spotted. When the police set up a checkpoint and attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver opened fire on them.'
Criminal Background of the Accused
According to officials, Naseem alone has 24 criminal cases registered against him. Both arrested individuals reportedly belong to a gang responsible for thefts across multiple districts in Uttar Pradesh. This comes amid an ongoing crackdown by Uttar Pradesh Police on organised crime networks operating in the state's border districts.
Investigations are continuing; police have not yet confirmed whether all stolen valuables recovered belong to recent crimes or earlier offences.
Point of View
Where police encounters have become a prominent — and contested — tool of crime suppression, particularly against organised theft gangs operating near the Nepal border. The recovery of cash and jewellery adds credibility to the criminal-nexus narrative, but the frequency of such encounters in the state warrants consistent judicial and rights oversight. The near-border pursuit toward Nepal also highlights a structural challenge: cross-border movement gives local gangs an escape route that routine policing struggles to cut off, pointing to a need for sustained inter-agency coordination rather than reactive encounter operations alone.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the two criminals arrested in Bahraich, UP?
The two arrested individuals are Jabir (alias Zakir) and Naseem , both reportedly members of a gang responsible for thefts across multiple districts in Uttar Pradesh. Naseem alone has 24 criminal cases registered against him.
Where did the Bahraich police encounters take place?
The first encounter occurred near Khaira Bazar under the Baundi police station jurisdiction late on Monday. The second took place near Bajariya Mor in Nanpara , as Naseem allegedly attempted to flee toward Nepal.
What did police recover from the arrested criminals?
Officers recovered cash , gold jewellery , and silver jewellery from both Jabir and Naseem following their arrests, according to officials. Investigations are ongoing to determine the origin of the seized items.
What is the condition of the arrested suspects?
Both Jabir and Naseem sustained gunshot wounds during the retaliatory firing and have been admitted to a hospital. Naseem was struck in the leg during the Nanpara encounter and collapsed before being rushed for medical treatment.
What did the Bahraich SP say about the encounters?
SP Vishwajeet Srivastava confirmed that a combing operation was already underway in Bahraich and that the encounters were triggered by tip-offs, with both suspects having opened fire on police first. He said the police returned fire strictly in self-defence on both occasions.
