UP: Constable killed in mob attack during police operation in Noida village

A constable in Noida was shot dead by unidentified gunmen when a police team tried to arrest a wanted person in the Ghaziabad district of Uttar Pradesh.

The incident occurred on Sunday (May 25) when the team from the Phase-3 Noida police station went to arrest a notorious local criminal, Qadir, in the Nahal village of the Masuri police station area. Qadir has several previously-existing cases against him, including charges for armed robbery.

Constable shot in head

A crowd had assembled at the house of the accused when the police team reached the spot, and when Qadir was arrested, he urged the people around them to begin pelting stones at the police.

Indiscriminate firing from the mob soon followed, and in the scuffle, 26-year-old Constable Saurabh Singh sustained a bullet injury to the head. He was taken to the Yashoda Hospital in Ghaziabad, where doctors declared him dead on arrival.

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At least two other police personnel also sustained injuries and are currently undergoing treatment, but have been confirmed to be out of danger.

DCP confirms incident

Nahal village is located about 3 kms from National Highway (NH) 9, and alongside the Upper Ganga Canal. The attack on the police took place around 100-200 metres from the house of the suspect.

Confirming the incident, DCP Rural Surendra Nath Tiwari said, "On May 25, information was received at Thana Masuri that a constable named Saurabh of Gautam Buddha Nagar was shot near the Nahal village. He was taken to the hospital by his team, where he was declared dead by the doctors. A case has been registered under the appropriate sections."

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“The Ghaziabad police came to know about the incident around 11.30 pm on Sunday. Prima facie, the Ghaziabad police were not informed about the raid by the Gautam Buddha Nagar police. However, we will get this verified,” DCP added.

'Strict action will be taken'

Qadir is said to already have 24 criminal cases registered against him. He managed to escape during the attack on the police, but the department has formed several teams to arrest him and those who helped in his escape. A massive search operation is being conducted in the area.

An FIR has been registered based on a complaint filed by a Noida sub-inspector. The FIR states that the suspect was related to a case in the Bharatiya Nayata Sanhita (BNS) section 303(2) (theft) registered at the Phase 3 police station on Wednesday (May 21).

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The police department has been hit hard by the constable's death. The family of the constable has been informed about the incident. Police officials have said that the accused, along with the people who participated in the mob fighting, will be arrested soon, and strict action will be taken against them.