Etah: Four criminals were arrested after a police encounter in which a constable also sustained bullet injury in Marhera area of Etah district in Uttar Pradesh, police sources said here on Saturday.

The sources said that, late on Friday night, the police received a tip off that some criminals hiding in Ratanpur were planning to commit a major crime.

"Acting on the tip off the police surrounded the area and when challenged, the criminals opened fire on the police team. In retaliatory firing all the four criminals sustained bullet injuries in their legs after which they were arrested," they said.

Police sources said that constable Hari Om Chaudhary also sustained a bullet injury during the encounter.

"The constable and all the criminals have been admitted to Etah medical college," the sources said.

Police sources said that the arrested criminals have been identified as Pappi Yadav (42), Babloo (38), Shafeeq (27) and Sudhir (28). "One criminal Ravendra taking advantage of the darkness managed to escape from the spot," they said.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Rajesh Kumar Singh said that dozens of cases, including that of loot, dacoity, attempt to murder and under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act were lodged against the arrested accused.

"Action against Gangster Act will be taken against the arrested criminals," he said.

(With UNI inputs)