Rampur CRPF Attack Case Accused Mohammad Shareef Shot Dead Near Police Station, a Year After Acquittal

Mohammad Shareef, one of the accused in the 2007 Rampur CRPF camp attack case, was shot dead by unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants near Khajuria police station in Uttar Pradesh's Rampur district, nearly a year after being released from prison following a major court ruling. The incident took place on Tuesday evening, November 10, when Shareef, 52, was returning home on a motorcycle with his son. According to reports, two masked men riding another motorcycle intercepted them near the Panwaria area and opened fire before fleeing the scene.

Shareef sustained critical injuries and was taken to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead. His son escaped the attack. The shooting reportedly occurred just a few hundred metres from Khajuria police station, raising questions about security arrangements in the area. According to reports, Shareef had visited the police station for a verification-related requirement before the shooting. His family has questioned the circumstances surrounding the visit and demanded a thorough investigation into the murder.

Police have registered a case against unidentified attackers and formed multiple teams to identify those involved. Investigators are examining CCTV footage from the surrounding areas and gathering forensic evidence to establish the sequence of events. A social media post by an individual identifying himself as Rahul Singh reportedly claimed responsibility for the killing, allegedly linking it to the 2007 CRPF camp attack. However, police have not independently verified the claim or established the authenticity of the post.

Shareef was among those arrested in connection with the December 31, 2007, attack on the CRPF Group Centre in Rampur. The attack, which took place around midnight, resulted in the deaths of seven CRPF personnel and a civilian rickshaw-puller.

In November 2019, a trial court sentenced Shareef and three other accused to death, while another accused was awarded life imprisonment. Two others were acquitted. In October 2025, the Allahabad High Court overturned the death sentences and the life sentence after identifying significant shortcomings in the investigation and prosecution's evidence. The court set aside the convictions for the principal offences but retained convictions under the Arms Act, sentencing five accused to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.

Shareef walked out of Bareilly Central Jail in November 2025 after spending approximately 17 years in custody, with the period already served adjusted against his sentence. His killing has now triggered fresh questions about the circumstances surrounding the murder and whether it was connected to his involvement in the high-profile CRPF attack case. Police are investigating all possible angles, including personal enmity and the alleged revenge motive mentioned in the social media post. The identities of the attackers and the exact motive behind the shooting remain to be established.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.