Prayagraj: Another shooter, who is involved in murder of advocate Umesh Pal, was killed in a joint operation by the police and Special Task Force (STF) in Kaundhiyara area of Prayagraj district here in Uttar Pradesh on Monday, police sources said here.

Umesh Pal was the main witness in Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) MLA Raju Pal and his two gunner's murder.

Police sources told UNI that the police and STF, which are conducting raids to arrest the accused involved in the Umesh Pal murder case, received information that some criminals were hiding in Kaundhiyara area.

“Acting on the tip off, the police and STF cordoned the area and asked the criminals to surrender on which they started firing,” they said.

Police sources said that in retaliatory firing one criminal sustained bullet injuries, whereas others managed to escape taking advantage of darkness.

“The injured criminal was identified as Vijay Chaudhary alias Usman. He was taken to Swaroop Rani Nehru (SRN) hospital where doctors declared him dead,” they said.

Police sources said that Usman is the second criminal involved in the Umesh Pal murder case, who has been killed in an encounter with the police.

“Earlier, a criminal named Arbaz was killed in an encounter in Jawahar Park area under Dhumanganj police station. Arbaz was the one who was driving the vehicle in which the shooters reached Umesh Pal’s residence and was also involved in the shootout,” they said.

It may be noted that Umesh Pal was shot dead by criminals, who fired indiscriminately and lobbed bombs, in front of his house in Sulem Sarai locality under Dhumanganj police station February 24. While one of his gunners Sandeep Nishad died at the SRN hospital, the second one Raghavendra Singh died during treatment in SGPGI, Lucknow.

The Police has lodged a case against mafia-turned-politician and former MP Atique Ahmed, his brother Ashraf, wife Shaista Parveen, two sons and several other accomplices. Atique’s two sons were detained by the police and were sent to juvenile home on Saturday.

The police have increased the reward on the arrest of those involved in Umesh Pal’s murder from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh each.

(With UNI inputs)