Two constables, driver injured in encounter with Balkhadia gang

THE DACOITS TOOK POSITION ON A CLIFF AND OPENED FIRE ON THE POLICE PATROLLING TEAM.

ALLAHABAD: Two policemen and a contractual driver of a police vehicle sustained gunshot injuries during an encounter with the members of the dreaded Balkhadia gang in Markundi area of Chitrakoot district on Thursday.

The dacoits took position on a cliff and opened fire on the police patrolling team. When the police opened fire in retaliation, the dacoits fled into the ravines. The injured policemen were rushed to the district hospital.

Senior police officials, including SP, Chitrakoot, Pawan Kumar and DIG Gyaneshwar Tiwari, rushed to the spot with huge police force and PAC personnel and launched a combing operation in the area.

IG (zone) Brijbhushan Sharma said that a police team was patrolling in Markundi area on Thursday afternoon when the gang-members opened fire on it.

Heavy firing started from both the sides which lasted for several hours. Constables Pushpendra and Kaushlendra, and driver Sundar sustained bullet injuries in the encounter.

Circle officer, Markundi, Shripal Yadav said that the area was on the border of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. “The dacoits took advantage of rough terrains and managed to gain a better position. However, a large police force rushed to the scene and the dacoits had to flee into the hilly terrain. A combing operation was launched but no dacoit was found dead or injured,” Yadav added.

IG (zone) BB Sharma said that the dacoit gang was under pressure from the police.