VARANASI: A member of a gang of liquor smugglers was injured, and another arrested, during an encounter with Jahanaganaj police in Azamgarh district on Monday.Police recovered 2,880 tetra packs (180 ml each), totalling 518.4 litres of liquor worth approximately Rs 10 lakh, along with two illegal pistols, two live cartridges, one empty cartridge, one misfired cartridge, a 4-wheeler goods vehicle (loader) with a fake number plate, a mobile phone, cash, and vehicle keys. The accused were booked under Sections 338, 336(3), 340(2), 109(1), 352, 351(3), 3(5) BNS, Sections 60/63/72 of the Excise Act, and Sections 3/25 of the Arms Act.According to reports, in view of Republic Day celebrations, the Jahanaganaj police were conducting intensive checks and foot patrols. They received information that some smugglers were transporting a large quantity of illegal English liquor to Bihar via the Chiraiyakot-Mau route in a 4-wheeler goods vehicle with a Bihar number plate.Acting on the tip-off, Jahanaganaj SO Atul Kumar Mishra alerted the police and set up a barrier at Bhujahi turn near Sai Dhaba. A second police team in the area was also put on alert. Soon, a suspicious goods vehicle with a Bihar number was spotted coming from the Jahanaganaj side. When police signalled the vehicle to stop, it tried to flee at high speed, hitting the barrier.Police chased the vehicle, which eventually got stuck near Langda Baba ground in a pile of bricks. Seeing themselves surrounded, the two accused opened fire on the police. Officers fired in self-defence, injuring Kundan Kumar in the right leg. His accomplice, Ranjan Kumar, attempted to escape but was arrested after the area was cordoned off.Both men are residents of Lodipur Chiran village in Doriganj police station area of Chhapra district, Bihar. The injured man was taken to hospital for treatment. Police inspected the crime scene, collected evidence, and recorded the proceedings using the e-evidence app.
