Varanasi: A notorious cattle smuggler, Naseem, was arrested after suffering a bullet injury in his leg during an exchange of fire with Rani Ki Sarai police in Azamgarh on Wednesday. However, his two accomplices managed to escape during the encounter.The accused carried a cash reward of Rs50,000 on his head. After arresting him, the police also seized a country-made pistol (.315 bore), an empty cartridge, a live misfired cartridge, two live cartridges, and a motorcycle from his possession.Azamgarh SP Anil Kumar said that on a tip-off regarding the movement of cattle smugglers on Sonwara-Baraila Taal road, Rani Ki Sarai police launched a massive checking drive near Chhaila Inar crossing in the early hours. During the drive, they signalled some motorcycle-borne persons to stop, but they attempted to flee by turning their motorcycle towards Baraila Taal road. Later, the they lost control over the motorcycle and fell down. In a bid to escape, they opened fire at the police team. When the cops retaliated, Naseem suffered bullet injury in his leg, while his two accomplices managed to escape. Naseem, a resident of Kotila, has 16 criminal cases lodged against him.Police later admitted him to a hospital for treatment.
