Absconding undertrial killed in police encounter

Ghazipur, Feb 10 (UNI) The Special Operation Group (SOG) of district police shot to death an absconding undertrial in an encounter here last evening, police said today.

On a tip-off about the presence of three notorious criminals near Baware village in Suhwal area, police reached the spot and asked them to surrender.

However, the miscreants opened fire and in the ensuing encounter, Srikant Mallah was killed. His two associates, however, managed to flee.

On February 5, Mallah had escaped while being taken to a court from the district jail.

He was one of the prime accused in the murder of BJP MLA Krishnanand Rai's close friend Avadh Bihari Rai, alias Naga Rai, in Bhanwarkol area in November 2005.

Besides, almost 12 cases of loot and murder are pending against the slain criminal.

A search operation has been launched to arrest his associates.

UNI