Ballia Police Encounter: 5 Arrested as Temple Idols Recovered After Shootout
Ballia police arrested five thieves after a shootout. Stolen temple ornaments recovered. STF also busts rare falcon trafficking ring in Lucknow.
A high-drama police encounter in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, has led to the arrest of five alleged thieves and the recovery of precious silver ornaments stolen from temples. The operation, which unfolded late last night, saw an exchange of fire that left two suspects injured.
The Midnight Chase and Shootout
The incident occurred under the jurisdiction of the Rasra police station. A police team had set up a checkpoint to inspect vehicles on the road stretching from Lakhneshwardih to Am Ghat. The situation escalated when a car approached the checkpoint and ignored signals to stop, with the occupants attempting to flee the scene.
Following a pursuit, the police managed to surround the vehicle. According to officials, the suspects opened fire on the police team, prompting the officers to return fire in self-defence. During the clash, two of the occupants, identified as Zeeshan Alam and Chandrashekhar, sustained bullet injuries to their legs.
The remaining three suspects—Suraj Paswan, Chandrashekhar Kumar, and Bala Lakhandar Kumar—were apprehended after a chase. Police investigations revealed that all five arrested individuals are residents of the Motihari district in Bihar.
Temple Loot Uncovered
Upon arresting the gang, police recovered stolen silver ornaments. During interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed to a series of thefts targeting religious sites:
- They allegedly stole a silver serpent idol and a crown from the Lakhneshwardih temple in the Rasra police station area.
- They also admitted to stealing a crown of Radha-Krishna from the Panch Mandir located in the Ghazipur district.
Additional Superintendent of Police Dinesh Kumar Shukla confirmed that all five suspects are in custody. The two injured men are currently receiving medical treatment, and legal proceedings have been initiated against the group.
Separate Bust: Rare Falcon Trafficking Ring
In a separate major operation in Lucknow, the Uttar Pradesh Police Special Task Force (STF) has dismantled a part of an international wildlife trafficking syndicate. On Saturday, October 31, the STF arrested Firoz Musharrat Khan, a resident of Mumbai, from Iradatnagar in the Madiyanv police station area.
Crores Worth of Rare Birds Seized
During the raid, officials recovered seven rare species of falcons. These birds are highly valued in the international market, with an estimated worth of approximately Rs 14 crore. Along with the birds, the police seized a mobile phone and an Aadhaar card from the accused.
The STF Media cell revealed a sophisticated smuggling route: the rare birds were allegedly sourced from the forests of Gorakhpur, Lakhimpur Kheri, and Sitapur before being trafficked to international destinations, including Dubai, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.