Wanted criminal with Rs 1.70 lakh bounty killed (Img: Internet)
Ayodhya: The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) on Sunday night gunned down notorious criminal Bhanu Pratap Singh alias Bablu Singh during an encounter in Ayodhya district. According to police officials, the operation was carried out near Ami Ghat under Maharajganj police station limits around 11 pm.
The STF’s Prayagraj unit had reportedly received intelligence inputs that Bhanu and one of his associates were travelling on a motorcycle in the area.
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Police said the STF team attempted to intercept the duo, but Bhanu allegedly opened indiscriminate firing using an automatic weapon. STF personnel retaliated in self-defence, critically injuring him during the exchange of fire.
While Bhanu was hit during the encounter, his aide reportedly managed to escape under the cover of darkness. Additional police forces later reached the spot and launched a search operation in the area.
Bhanu was first taken to a community health centre and later referred to Government Medical College, Ayodhya, where doctors declared him dead during treatment.
According to STF officials, Bhanu Pratap Singh was a notorious sharpshooter and contract killer with a long criminal history across eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Police records show that 41 criminal cases were registered against him in Gorakhpur, Azamgarh, Ambedkar Nagar and Basti districts. The charges included murder, robbery, dacoity, extortion, contract killing, attempted murder and Arms Act violations.
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Authorities had announced a cumulative reward of ₹1.70 lakh on his arrest, including ₹1 lakh from Azamgarh Police, ₹50,000 from Ambedkar Nagar Police and ₹20,000 from Gorakhpur Police.
Investigators said Bhanu and his gang were involved in several major crimes over the past decade, including armed robberies and contract killings. One of the most serious allegations against him was the 2025 murder of dairy trader Prithviraj Yadav in Azamgarh, allegedly carried out for a contract worth ₹4 lakh.
Police recovered a carbine, a pistol, live cartridges and spent shells from the encounter site. Efforts are currently underway to trace and arrest the absconding accomplice.
