Uttar Pradesh: STF kills Thokia in encounter

Chitrakoot/Lucknow, Aug 4: In a major success the Special Task Force (STF) of Uttar Pradesh police shot dead dreaded dacoit Ambika Patel alias Thokia during an encounter early this morning.

The STF team led by SSP Amitabh Yash shot dead Thokia near Cilkhan village in the Bharatkup area of the Chitrakoot district after a four hour long encounter.

The dacoit, against whom the UP government had announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh and Madhya Pradesh government of Rs 50,000, was hiding in the jungles of UP and MP after the STF launched a massive combing operation against his gang after he ambushed a vehicle of the force killing 6 jawans on the spot on July 23.

The STF jawans were returning after killing another dreaded dacoit Dadua a day before the incident.

Mr Yash told UNI that this was a major success for the security personnel of the state and it will end the dacoit gangs of Chambal.

After the encounter police also recovered four firearms from the deceased which included a few AK series assault rifles.

There were at least 100 criminal cases of murder, kidnapping and looting against Thokia in eight districts of UP and MP.

State Director General of Police (DGP) Vikram Singh has lauded the success of the STF and has left for the spot along with Additional Director General of police (STF) Brijlal to take stock of the situation.

UNI