UP Police encounters in Bulandshahr, Ballia: Murder accused, ₹25,000 bounty criminal held
Synopsis
In back-to-back late-night operations, UP Police shot and arrested a murder suspect in Bulandshahr — wanted for stuffing a victim's body in a drain — and a ₹25,000 bounty criminal in Ballia, continuing the state's aggressive anti-crime posture. One co-accused remains at large.
Key Takeaways
UP Police conducted separate encounter operations in Bulandshahr and Ballia on the night of 6 June .
Faizan Qureshi , accused in the murder of Vipin of Sikandrabad, was shot and arrested; co-accused Zaid Saifi is absconding.
Vipin's body was recovered on 2 June from a drain on Chola Road , allegedly dumped after a robbery-turned-murder.
Dheeraj Singh , carrying a ₹25,000 bounty, was arrested in Ballia's Dokti area after sustaining a gunshot to his left leg.
A country-made pistol, live cartridges, and a stolen e-rickshaw were among items recovered during the operations.
Uttar Pradesh Police on 6 June carried out separate encounter operations in Bulandshahr and Ballia districts, arresting two accused criminals — one wanted in connection with a murder case and another carrying a ₹25,000 reward on his head. Both suspects sustained gunshot injuries during the operations and are in custody.
Bulandshahr Encounter: Murder Accused Faizan Qureshi Arrested
In Bulandshahr, police tracked down Faizan Qureshi, an accused in the murder of Vipin, a resident of Sikandrabad. Vipin's body had been recovered on 2 June from a drain near a closed factory on Chola Road, stuffed inside a sack.
According to the police, Faizan and his associate Zaid Saifi allegedly killed Vipin in the course of a robbery, also snatching the victim's e-rickshaw. Police teams located Faizan late on Friday night as he was allegedly attempting to dispose of the stolen vehicle. An encounter broke out during the interception; Faizan sustained bullet injuries in retaliatory police action while Saifi managed to flee the scene.
Circle Officer (CO) Bhaskar Mishra stated that Faizan has allegedly confessed to his involvement in the crime during interrogation. A country-made pistol, live cartridges, and the stolen e-rickshaw were recovered from his possession. A search is underway for the absconding co-accused Zaid Saifi.
Ballia Encounter: ₹25,000 Bounty Criminal Dheeraj Singh Held
In a separate operation in Ballia district's Dokti police station area, police arrested Dheeraj Singh, a wanted criminal carrying a reward of ₹25,000 for his arrest. Singh sustained a gunshot injury to his left leg and is currently receiving treatment at the district hospital.
Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Sanjay Verma said police received information about Singh's movement near the Dokti Dala area late on Friday night. A police team laid a trap and attempted to intercept him. According to the ASP, Singh allegedly opened fire on the police while attempting to escape, and police retaliated in self-defence.
A firearm was recovered from Singh, who reportedly has several criminal cases registered against him. Further legal proceedings are underway in both cases.
Part of UP's Broader Anti-Crime Drive
The twin operations are part of Uttar Pradesh Police's sustained crackdown on criminals across the state. Encounter-based arrests have been a recurring feature of law enforcement in UP, with police citing the approach as a deterrent against organised crime. Rights groups, however, have periodically raised concerns about the use of force in such operations, calling for independent scrutiny. Both incidents are being handled through standard legal procedures, officials confirmed.
Point of View
Where police-encounter arrests have become a routine law-enforcement tool rather than an exceptional measure. While officials frame them as defensive actions, the frequency and consistency of such operations warrant closer institutional scrutiny — particularly around the documentation of when force was first used. The absconding of co-accused Zaid Saifi in the Bulandshahr case also raises questions about operational coordination. The broader anti-crime drive may be yielding arrests, but without transparent oversight, the line between deterrence and impunity remains blurred.
NationPress
25 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Bulandshahr encounter on 6 June?
Faizan Qureshi, accused in the murder of Vipin of Sikandrabad, was arrested after sustaining bullet injuries in a police encounter late on 6 June. His associate Zaid Saifi fled the scene and remains at large.
What was the Bulandshahr murder case about?
Vipin, a resident of Sikandrabad, was allegedly murdered by Faizan Qureshi and Zaid Saifi during a robbery. His body was recovered on 2 June from a drain near a closed factory on Chola Road, stuffed inside a sack. The accused also allegedly stole his e-rickshaw.
Who was arrested in the Ballia encounter and why was he wanted?
Dheeraj Singh, a criminal with a ₹25,000 reward announced for his arrest, was apprehended in the Dokti police station area of Ballia. He reportedly has multiple criminal cases registered against him and was shot in the left leg during the encounter.
What was recovered during the two UP Police encounters?
In Bulandshahr, police recovered a country-made pistol, live cartridges, and the stolen e-rickshaw from Faizan Qureshi. In Ballia, a firearm was recovered from Dheeraj Singh at the time of his arrest.
Are these encounters part of a larger UP Police operation?
Yes, both encounters are part of Uttar Pradesh Police's ongoing crackdown on criminals across the state. Encounter-based arrests have been a recurring feature of UP's law enforcement strategy, though rights groups have previously called for independent oversight of such operations.
