Kanpur Encounter: Habitual Thief Shot in Leg After Firing at Police
A habitual offender was shot in the leg during a police encounter in Kanpur after firing at officers during a patrol.
A midnight patrol in Kanpur turned into a dramatic shootout when police engaged two suspects linked to a series of transformer and electric wire thefts. The encounter, which took place in the Ghatampur circle, left one suspect injured and in police custody, while his partner managed to vanish into the darkness.
The Midnight Confrontation
Following a spike in reports regarding the theft of electricity wires and transformers, senior police officials had ordered intensified night patrolling in the region. While conducting checks near Nibia village, a police team spotted a vehicle acting suspiciously. When officers signaled the vehicle to pull over, the occupants refused to comply.
Instead of surrendering, the two men abandoned their vehicle and opened fire on the police team to create a window for their escape. Acting in self-defense, the police returned fire, hitting one of the suspects in the leg.
A History of Crime
The apprehended individual has been identified as Pawan, son of Ram Sajeevan. According to police records, Pawan is far from a first-time offender. He is described as a habitual criminal with approximately 10 previous cases registered against him, spanning a variety of serious crimes including:
- Robbery
- Dacoity
- General theft
- Electric wire theft
Authorities revealed that Pawan had only recently been released from jail before returning to his criminal activities. Preliminary investigations indicate that he was part of a gang specifically targeting electricity infrastructure in the area.
Recoveries and Manhunt
During the arrest, police recovered a firearm and ammunition from Pawan's possession. While Pawan was transported to a hospital for medical treatment—following standard human rights guidelines—his accomplice successfully fled the scene.
The police have not given up on the second suspect. Three separate police teams have been constituted to track down and arrest the absconding member of the gang.
Reward for Bravery
In recognition of their alertness and successful operation in neutralizing a dangerous criminal, the police team involved in the encounter has been awarded a cash prize of ₹25,000.