Ballia, 4 Dec (HS): A suspected livestock smuggler was apprehended

after being injured in a shootout with police here, authorities said Thursday. The

shooting broke out late Wednesday night in the Sikandarpur region of Ballia

district. Additional Superintendent of Police Dinesh Kumar Shukla stated that a

police squad was conducting inspections along a route going to the river from

Khareed village when they signaled a motorbike to halt. The man attempted to

run and stumbled on the roadside with his motorcycle, he said.

The accused opened fire on

the police squad after realizing he was cornered. He was shot in the right leg

as a result of police retaliation. The officer reported that he was transferred

to the district hospital for treatment. He was identified as Brijesh, a native

of Muhammadpur village in the Mau district's Ghosi police station. According to

authorities, Brijesh and his companions reportedly put cattle onto a pickup

truck on December 3 and were taking them to Bihar for slaughter. They also

found a firearm and ammo produced locally in his possession.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi