Uttar Pradesh Police shot and killed Asad Ahmad, the son of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad, during an encounter in Jhansi district on Thursday. Asad Ahmad was wanted in a high-profile murder case related to the killing of Umesh Pal, a lawyer who was a key witness in a sensational 2005 murder case. Asad Ahmad was accompanied by his accomplice, Ghulam Hasan, who was also killed in the encounter.
Both of them were absconding after being named as suspects in the murder of Umesh Pal, which occurred on February 24 in Prayagraj. The encounter took place when two police teams intercepted Asad and Ghulam Hasan on the Kanpur-Jhansi highway. The news report also mentions that the encounter has sparked a political storm over the controversial nature of the encounter.
“Asad and Ghulam were wanted in the Umesh Pal murder case and were carrying a reward of ₹5 lakh each. They were killed in an encounter with an UP STF team,” said special director general (law and order) Prashant Kumar.
The encounter took place at 12.45 pm when two team intercepted Asad and Ghulam on the Kanpur-Jhansi highway. One British Bulldog Revolver .455 bore and a Walther P88 7.63 bore pistol were recovered following the encounter.
The encounter has triggered a political storm, with the Opposition demanding a probe into the incident, while the government backed the police action. This was the third controversial encounter linked to the Umesh Pal murder case. Asad and his brother Umar, along with their father Atiq Ahmad, were among the 27 people booked under various sections of the Indian Penal Code in connection with the murder.
“Congratulations to UP STF, this was the fate of the killers of Umesh Pal Advocate and police personnel,” tweeted deputy chief minister Keshav Prasad Maurya.
