Unidentified assailants allegedly assaulted a liquor salesman and looted cash worth around ₹40,000 to ₹50,000 in Uttar Pradesh’s Sitapur, police said. The incident occurred on Tuesday night at approximately 10:15 PM when the victim was returning home after closing his shop. According to Additional Superintendent of Police (South) Durgesh Kumar Singh, the victim was travelling on a motorcycle with a canteen worker riding pillion when they were intercepted by a group of miscreants on the way. The attackers reportedly blocked their path, forcibly stopped the bike, and then assaulted both individuals. During the attack, the accused robbed them of the cash they were carrying.

Police further stated that the assailants also opened fire during the incident, causing panic in the area. A bullet reportedly grazed the leg of Surjit, the canteen worker, leaving him injured. Both victims were later given medical attention, and their condition is said to be stable. A police team reached the spot and conducted a detailed inspection of the crime scene. Senior officials confirmed that an investigation has been launched to identify the suspects and determine the exact sequence of events. Search operations are underway, and efforts are being made to trace and apprehend those involved in the crime. Authorities have also assured that law and order in the area remains under control.

In a separate development, two wanted criminals carrying a reward of ₹1 lakh each were killed in an encounter with the Ghaziabad Police Commissionerate during the early hours of Wednesday. The deceased were identified as Zubair and Sameer, both allegedly involved in a recent ATM cash van robbery case reported on May 6.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Dhawal Jaiswal said that police received specific intelligence inputs regarding the suspects’ presence in the Wave City police station area. Acting on the information, a police team attempted to intercept them. However, the accused allegedly opened fire on the police party, prompting retaliatory firing in self-defence. Following the encounter, police recovered around ₹9 lakh in looted cash, firearms, cartridges, and a vehicle believed to have been used in the crime. Three police personnel sustained injuries during the exchange of fire and are currently undergoing treatment in hospital. Further investigation into both cases is ongoing.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.