Suspect in Murder of Two RPF Constables Killed in Encounter with UP STF

Ghazipur: A suspected liquor smuggler, Mohammad Zahid alias Sonu, allegedly involved in the brutal killing of two Railway Protection Force (RPF) constables, was killed in an encounter with Uttar Pradesh Police in Ghazipur district late Monday night, officials confirmed.

Zahid, who was the prime conspirator in the August 19-20 incident, succumbed to injuries sustained during the gunfight and was pronounced dead at the district hospital early Tuesday. The Noida unit of the Special Task Force (STF) and the Ghazipur Police led the operation. Two police personnel were also injured during the encounter.

"Zahid was the main conspirator of the August 19-20 incident. We had received inputs about him once again trying to smuggle liquor on the same route near Dildarnagar. A team of the Ghazipur Police and the Noida unit of STF rounded up Zahid, ensuing a gunbattle in which he suffered severe injuries. Two policemen also suffered injuries," Ghazipur Superintendent of Police Iraj Raja said.

Zahid was accused of orchestrating the murder of RPF constables Javed Khan and Pramod Kumar, who were killed while attempting to stop the smuggling of illegal liquor aboard the Barmer-Guwahati Express (Train No. 15631). The constables were allegedly beaten and thrown off the moving train by the smugglers.

According to Additional Director General Amitabh Yash, Zahid had a cash reward of ₹1 lakh on his head. Raja said Zahid was intercepted while allegedly trying to smuggle liquor along the same route. Six other suspects involved in the August incident have already been arrested following separate encounters.

(With inputs from PTI)