Atiq's sharp-shooter killed in encounter

Allahabad, Aug 8 (UNI) The Special Operation Group (SOG) of Uttar Pradesh Police shot dead a wanted sharp-shooter of Samajwadi Party (SP) controversial MP Atiq Ahmad in an encounter here.

Acting on a tip-off about the presence of a notorious criminal in Dhumanganj area, police reached the spot and surrounded the area late yesterday.

On being challenged, the hardended criminal opened fire. In cross firing, history-sheeter, identified as Tausif Ali, was eliminated.

The slain criminal was carrying a bounty of Rs 30,000 on his head in UP, MP and Maharashtra.

SP Jugal Kishore today said Tausif was a sharp-shooter of SP MP Atiq Ahmad and was wanted in connection with the abduction of Umesh Pal, an eyewitness in the 2005 BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case. Atiq and his sibling, Ashraf, are accused in the killing.

Besides, the wanted criminal had almost 30 heinous cases pending against him.

UNI