Prayagraj/UNI: An aide of slain mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed was arrested after an encounter with police in Nawabganj area of Prayagraj district here in Uttar Pradesh, a police officer said here on Thursday.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Ganga Nagar, Abhishek Bharati said the encounter took place in Anapur area where two criminals opened fire on the police team after being intercepted during vehicle checking late on Wednesday night.

"In retaliatory firing one of the criminals sustained bullet injury and was arrested," he said.

He said that the arrested criminal was identified as Mohammad Naseem alias Naseem Biryani.

"The police recovered a pistol, cartridges and a motorcycle. The injured criminal has been admitted to Swarup Rani Nehru hospital," he said.

It may be noted that on November 18 the Prayagraj Commissionerate police had announced a reward of Rs 50,000 on the arrest of Nafees Biryani, who is one of the accused in advocate Umesh Pal murder case.

The police were looking for Nafees after his name was added in the Umesh Pal murder case lodged at Dhoomanganj police station on February 24 after which Police Commissioner Ramit Sharma announced a reward of Rs 50,000 on his arrest.

Nafees, who ran a Biryani restaurant, was a friend of Khalid Azim alias Ashraf, brother of slain mafia-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed. During investigation it was revealed that Nafees' SUV was used in the murder of Umesh Pal and his two security personnel on February 24 this year.

The SUV was recovered near Atiq's house the next day of the murder on February 25.

It was revealed that the SUV was used by Atiq's son Asad and his henchmen to carry out the murder in Sulem Sarai locality under Dhoomanganj police station.

It may be mentioned that a case was lodged against nine persons after murder of Umesh Pal, the main witness in Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Raju Pal's murder on January 25, 2005.

The main accused included Atiq Ahmed, his brother Ashraf, wife Shaista Parvin, two sons, Guddu Muslim, Arman, Ghulam and Sabir.

Atiq and Ashraf were shot dead by three shooters while they were being taken to the Colvin hospital for medical checkup in police custody on April 15 night.

The police had already announced a reward of Rs 50,000 of Atiq's wife Shaista and Rs 5 lakh each on his son Asad, accomplices Guddu Muslim, Arman, Ghulam and Sabir.