How the encounter that killed gangster Atiq Ahmed’s son unfolded

The Uttar Pradesh police has gunned down four people since the murder of Umesh Pal. The latest encounter involved the killing of gangster Atiq Ahmed's son, Asad.

According to the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF), the operation was planned after a tip-off was received that Asad and his aide Ghulam were planning to attack a police convoy carrying Atiq Ahmed. They were trying to help Atiq escape the STF said. Asad and Ghulam had hatched a plan to help Atiq escape while he was being produced before a court in UP in connection with the Umesh Pal murder case.

UP's special director general (law and order) Prashant Kumar said that teams of civil police and special forces had been deployed following concrete Intelligence inputs. Based on the same two teams were deployed and Asad was intercepted. The police said that the duo were travelling on a bike.

The duo were killed in retaliatory firing, Kumar said while adding that the STF undertook the entire operation.

Police officials said that to divert their attention, heavy force had been deployed near the Jhansi border from April 11, when Atiq Ahmed was being brought to a court in Prayagraj. On the other hand a special police team in civilian clothes was surveying the area near the hideout of Guddu Muslim, an aide of Atiq. A small team had been deployed secretly near the Parichha power plant with surveillance and technical assistance from the headquarters.

"On April 12, night activity at the hideout of Guddu Muslim was witnessed which alerted us and teams were stationed near the four routes. Afterwards, a team equipped with bulletproof jackets was designated to confront any potential threats head-on, while another team was tasked with scouting potential escape routes to neighbouring districts and conducting inspections." A Times of India report said while quoting an official.

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.