Munna Bajrangi's confidant shot dead in police encounter

Allahabad, Oct 7 (UNI) Afroz, the wanted criminal and a close confidant of Mafia don Munna Bajrangi, was gunned down in a fierce police encounter encounter in Colonelganj area here.

Afroz (35) alias Banti of Varanasi was carrying a bounty of Rs 20,000 on his head.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Lalji Shukla said on a tip off, the Colonelganj police in assistance with the Special Task Force (STF) sleuths cordoned off the area and shot dead the criminal near IERT College. The deceased was facing charges in nearly 35 criminal cases like loot, murder, attempt to murder and abduction.

The outlaw had also committed various heinous crimes outside the state and was also a culprit in Rohini robbery case in Delhi, the SSP informed.

The deceased was also accused in Mirzapur double murder case and had fled from the police custody in 2000. He was absconding since then.

A 9 mm pistol was also recovered from the spot, a senior cop added.

As per police, Afroz was close to Munna Bajrangi -- the notorious criminal of Poorvanchal-- as well as MLA Mukhtar Ansari.

Meanwhile, IG (zone) P K Tiwari announced a cash reward of Rs 10,000 for the winning team, while DIG (range) MK Basahal and SSP Lalji Shukla declared a reward of Rs 5,000 and Rs 2,500 respectively.

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