UP Police Shoot Two Wanted Cow-Smuggling Suspects in Leg in Deoria and Ballia

Overview

• In Ballia late Wednesday, officers say Ajay Pattharkatta opened fire when cornered near the Nasirpur Math canal, and he was shot in the leg before being arrested.
• An illegal firearm and two live cartridges were recovered in Ballia, and the accused was taken to the district hospital where his condition was declared out of danger, according to police.
• In Deoria a day earlier, police say Dilip Sonkar snatched a sub-inspector’s pistol during transport for a medical check-up, fired at the escort team, and was shot in the leg and re-arrested.
• Deoria police report seizing a country-made pistol and cartridges from Sonkar during his initial arrest and say he has eight criminal cases registered against him.
• Officials say both incidents were part of targeted operations against cattle smuggling, and they note a similar police encounter in the Mathura/Kosi area last week as inquiries continue.