Bahraich: A criminal was injured in a police encounter and five people were arrested in connection with an electricity cable theft case in Nanpara area of Bahraich early Saturday. Another suspect managed to escape under the cover of darkness.The encounter took place near Hada Besedi along the Saryu Canal embankment, where police had received information that members of the suspected gang had assembled with stolen material and were allegedly planning another theft.Police said the operation was launched on the directions of SP Vishwajeet Srivastava following a series of electricity cable thefts in the Nanpara area. Acting on an informer’s tip, a police team surrounded the suspects, who allegedly opened fire. Police retaliated in self-defence, during which one suspect, identified as Kadir, son of Shafiq, of Siddhabahi in Barabanki’s Mati police station area, sustained a gunshot injury to his left leg. He was arrested and taken to hospital.The four other arrested suspects were identified as Krishna Kumar, Kuldeep Gupta, Harendra Gupta and Udayraj Chauhan, all residents of Kharoh village under Reusa police station in Sitapur district. Police said several criminal cases, including a murder case, had previously been registered against Kadir.Police recovered a country-made pistol, one live cartridge, one spent cartridge, a Maruti Eeco, several bundles of stolen and cut electricity cables and wire-cutting equipment.Senior officials, including SP Vishwajeet Srivastava, reached the spot with a forensic team and inspected the scene. Police said the arrested suspects were being questioned to establish the gang’s wider network, identify other cable theft cases and trace the absconding suspect.
