8 POLICEMEN KILLED IN A 'HAIL OF BULLETS' DURING A DANGEROUS GUN BATTLE! WHO IS THE DREADED CRIMINAL? DETAILS

Eight Police personnel in Kanpur were shot dead during a fierce gun battle between police and criminals who attacked the group of personnel late in the night. Seven policemen have been injured during the encounter. 

The Kanpur police team were attacked by the criminal Vikas Dubey who has around 60 cases in his name. The group raided Bikaru village in Kanpur in search of Vikas Dubey but they were attacked by the criminal who is reportedly said to have a private army. SSP Kanpur said, "They had gone to arrest him following a complaint of attempt to murder. The police team was ambushed, "Superintendent of Police Kanpur told the media. A case under section 307 (Attempt to murder) was lodged against Vikas on Thursday night. 

When the police were conducting the operation, it was first disrupted by JCB earthmoving machines which were put up on the road and blocked their way. This forced the police to get down from their vehicles but when they got down, the criminals opened fire. The police too fired in retaliation but the criminals were on a rooftop. The gunbattle evventually led to the death of eight cops.

The deceased cops of Kanpur have been identified as CO Devendra Kumar Mishra, SO Mahesh Yadav, Chowki InCharge Anup Kumar, Sub-Inspector Nebulal, Constables Sultan Singh, Rahul, Jitendra and Bablu.

“Investigators are now surveying mobile phone signals from 500 phones in the area to track the criminals. Border areas of Kanpur division have been sealed and all border checkpoints have heightened security. CCTV footage from the border check posts are being looked at to track the criminals,” India Today reported. 

The report also added that the entire area has been sealed. In order to identify and nab the criminals, their fingerprints are being collected from the crime scene and locals in the area are being questioned. A Special Task Force (STF) has been formed and deployed in order to look into the sensational encounter. 

DGP Awasthi told the media, “Operation is still underway as criminals managed to escape, taking advantage of the dark. IG, ADG, ADG (Law & Order) have been sent there to supervise operation. Forensic team from Kanpur was at spot, an expert team from Lucknow also being sent.”

CM Yogi Adityanath has expressed condolences to the families of the eight police personnel who lost their lives in the Kanpur encounter. The CM has also directed DGP HC Awasthi to take strict action against criminals and the DGP has been asked to submit a report of the incident.