Jhansi, July 17 (IANS) Two habitual offenders, who were wanted in a theft case, were arrested in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi after an exchange of fire, police said on Friday, adding that one of them sustained injuries in retaliatory firing.

Addressing the media, Sadar Circle Officer Priya Singh said, “On July 16, Babina Police arrested two habitual accused involved in a theft case following a police encounter. A theft had taken place on the night of June 29, under the Bhel outpost of Babina Police Station, and an FIR was registered at the police station.”

She mentioned that the local police had been on alert for the last few days to uncover thefts and recover stolen valuables.

“When the staff of Babina Police Station, along with a SOG (Special Operations Group) team, jointly attempted to arrest the said accused and recover stolen items, the culprits opened fire with the intention of causing harm to the officers, and when the police personnel responded with retaliatory fire, one of the accused got injured in the leg,” she added.

The injured accused has been identified as Kader, a resident of Rajasthan’s Dholpura. The other accused, who was arrested, has been identified as Riyasat, a resident of Jalon in Uttar Pradesh.

Police recovered stolen gold and silver jewellery related to an alleged robbery in an area under Babina Police Station. Apart from it, Rs 3,350 in cash, an illegal .315 bore firearm, two empty cartridges, and one live cartridge were also recovered, the police officer said.

“The injured accused has been sent for treatment, and the forensic team are carrying out an investigation at the site,” Priya Singh said.

Further investigation in the case is underway.

In a similar incident, the Mathura Police arrested two alleged history-sheeters and murder accused following an encounter, officials said on Tuesday.

The two accused sustained bullet injuries to their legs during retaliatory firing by the police and were subsequently admitted to the district hospital for treatment, officials said.

According to the police, the suspects allegedly opened fire on the police team with the intention of escaping and causing harm to the officers. In response, the police retaliated in self-defence, during which both accused sustained bullet injuries to their left legs before being overpowered and taken into custody.

–IANS

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