Lucknow: Five men accused of attacking a revenue team during a crackdown on illegal mining were arrested after two separate police encounters in Sultanpur on Wednesday morning, with three of the accused sustaining bullet injuries in their legs during retaliatory firing, police said.Those arrested were identified as Sandeep Singh alias Vinay, described by police as the main accused, Aditya Singh alias Vinay Pratap Singh, Rahul, Naushad and Manoj Singh. The arrests came as police intensified investigation into the alleged assault on Naib Tehsildar Dharmendra Yadav and two lekhpals during an anti-mining operation in Amilia Kala village late Monday night.Following the attack, police registered cases including attempt to murder and obstruction of public servants against named and unidentified accused.Police said the first encounter took place when a team intercepted an SUV near Khenchila village. The occupants, Rahul and Naushad, allegedly tried to flee and opened fire. Police retaliated, injuring Rahul in the leg, and arrested both men. During questioning, police said they received information that led to the subsequent arrest of Manoj Singh. Officials said Rahul has 10 criminal cases registered against him.In the second incident, Akhand Nagar police set up a trap near the Kundabhairopur service-lane underpass after receiving inputs that Sandeep Singh and an associate were fleeing towards Azamgarh in a black Thar SUV.Police said the duo fired at personnel when signalled to stop and attempted to escape. The vehicle later veered off the road during the chase, after which firing allegedly continued. Police retaliated, injuring Sandeep and Aditya in their legs before taking them into custody.Police said they recovered illegal firearms, including country-made pistols, cartridges, mobile phones, a Thar SUV and a Scorpio. Four dumpers allegedly used in illegal mining were also seized.In a parallel administrative action, SP Vineet Jaiswal suspended Godwa outpost in-charge Vinod Kumar Patel, head constables Deepak Kumar and Jitendra Kanojia, and constable Anand Kumar Yadav, citing alleged negligence linked to the illegal mining racket.
