Gorakhpur, August 17: A police encounter occurred late Sunday night in the Cantt area of Gorakhpur between law enforcement and chain snatchers. In the police’s retaliatory action, both suspects sustained gunshot wounds to their legs and were subsequently arrested. During the encounter, a police officer, Bhupendra Yadav, was also injured.
According to police reports, the arrested individuals have been identified as Ajay alias Mangru from Deurveer village in the Gagaha police jurisdiction and Sanjay from Kasihar in the Belipar area. Both have been involved in multiple chain snatching incidents. Police revealed that Ajay has seven cases registered against him across various police stations, while Sanjay has eleven.
SP City Nimish Patil stated that around 2 AM on Sunday, police received information about the suspects’ presence in the city. There were concerns that they were preparing to commit another crime. Following a tip-off, the Cantt police and the Anti-Theft Cell initiated a checking operation near Padleganj.
During this operation, the police attempted to stop two young men riding a motorcycle. According to the police, upon realizing they were cornered, the suspects opened fire on the officers. The sudden gunfire caused chaos at the scene. In self-defense, the police retaliated, injuring both suspects in the legs before arresting them.
Officer Bhupendra Yadav was also injured in the encounter and has been admitted to the district hospital for treatment. Authorities recovered two chains, a motorcycle, a country-made pistol, and cartridges from the suspects.
Police confirmed that both suspects have a history of chain snatching. On July 20, 2026, a woman was attacked while she was out buying vegetables with her husband. The suspects snatched her chain and fled. A case was registered at the Cantt police station based on her complaint.
Additionally, on the morning of July 29, 2026, another woman was targeted while out for a walk. The suspects again snatched her chain and escaped. A case was also filed in this instance at the Cantt police station. Police are now interrogating the suspects to gather information about their other criminal activities and chain snatching incidents.
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