Family members receive mortal remains of a minor boy, who was allegedly murdered in the Khoda area on Thursday, in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, Saturday, May 30, 2026. Photo: PTI
Ghaziabad Bakri-Id stabbing: Prime accused shot dead in late-night police encounter
Carrying a ₹50,000 bounty, Asad was cornered by a joint police team while attempting to flee; manhunt continues for an escaped accomplice
Asad, the prime suspect in the high-profile stabbing of 17-year-old Surya Pratap Chauhan on Bakri Id, was killed in a police encounter in Ghaziabad on late Saturday (May 30) night.
This development comes after days of intense public outrage and community protests in the city following the assault on Chauhan.
Asad, who carried a bounty of ₹50,000 on his arrest, had been on the run since May 28, the day of the incident.
Late-night shootout
According to officials, a joint team from the Khoda and Indirapuram police stations tracked down the suspect after receiving intelligence that the prime accused, Asad, was trying to collect cash from associates before fleeing the region, the police said.
Explaining the sequence of events, the deputy Commissioner of Police (City/Trans-Hindon) Dhaval Jaiswal told the media, "Acting on this information, the police set up barricades at multiple locations and launched an intensive checking drive."
"During this operation, Asad was spotted approaching on a motorcycle along with an aide. When the police attempted to intercept him, he opened fire on the police team. The police returned fire, during which Asad sustained critical gunshot injuries," he added.
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Asad suffered critical injuries during the retaliatory firing and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
A police officer was also wounded in the exchange of fire and is currently undergoing medical treatment.
Widespread demonstrations
The fatal stabbing of Chauhan in Ghaziabad's Khoda area on the day of Bakrid had sparked widespread anger. Local residents, the victim’s family, and several Hindu organisations had staged massive demonstrations demanding swift justice and strict police action, prompting continuous raids by law enforcement until Saturday night's encounter.
Providing details on the sequence of events, DCP Jaiswal told the media that Asad and his associates had attacked Surya Pratap Chauhan with a knife in the Khoda area on May 28.
The critically injured teenager was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
On the run
"Five individuals were named as accused in this case," DCP Jaiswal said, adding that Immediately after the incident, the police arrested three of the accused, while the main accused, Asad, remained at large.
Several police teams were constituted to apprehend him, and a reward of Rs 50,000 was announced for his capture.
Law enforcement recovered the motorcycle and the weapon used by the accused from the encounter site. However, Asad's accomplice managed to escape during the chaos.
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A massive combing operation is currently underway to track him down.
Political leaders' reaction
Meanwhile, after Chauhan's death, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya had said the killers would not be spared and face the strictest punishment under the law.
While BSP chief describing the incident as "extremely tragic and worrying", demanded strict action against those responsible.