Ballia,

23 Feb (HS): A criminal with a reward of Rs 25,000 was apprehended following a

brief confrontation here, police said on Monday. Ballia SP Omveer Singh said a

joint team of local police and the Special Operations Group (SOG) was

conducting a check at the Husainabad roundabout at midnight when they signaled

a motorbike to halt. The man tried to run, but collapsed as his motorcycle

slid. Singh said that when he found himself trapped, he opened fire on the

police squad. Police responded in self-defense, shooting the accused in the

right leg, according to the officer. The accused, Bablu Nat (30), a native of

Adar village, was taken to the district hospital for treatment.

Bablu

was reportedly involved in cattle smuggling and was moving cows to Bihar on

February 8 when one of his accomplices was detained, but he managed to flee,

according to the SP, who also issued a Rs 25,000 reward for his apprehension.

Hindusthan Samachar / Abhishek Awasthi