Varanasi: Two notorious criminals carrying cash rewards of Rs 25,000 each were arrested following a police encounter in Azamgarh on Wednesday night.The accused were identified as Sameer and Shiv Kumar Rajbhar, both residents of Azamgarh district. The accused, wanted in multiple purse-snatching and robbery cases, sustained bullet injuries to their legs during the encounter. After initial treatment at the CHC in Phulpur, they were referred to the district hospital.Police also recovered looted jewellery, cash, mobile phones, illegal firearms, cartridges and the motorcycle used in the crimes from their possession.According to police, the accused were involved in a purse-snatching incident on June 17 in the Phulpur area, where a woman travelling in an auto-rickshaw was allegedly robbed at gunpoint near Durvasa Gate Sadarpur Barauli. The stolen purse reportedly contained a mobile phone, mangalsutra, gold ornaments, silver jewellery, cash and important documents.Investigations also linked the duo to another snatching incident reported on June 14 in the Saraimeer police station area, where a woman travelling by auto-rickshaw was allegedly robbed of her purse containing cash, a mobile phone, identification documents and house keys.To crack the cases, police teams analysed CCTV footage, technical evidence and surveillance inputs. Investigators concluded that both incidents had been carried out by the same gang, leading to intensified efforts to trace the suspects. Subsequently, the office of the Azamgarh Senior Superintendent of Police announced a reward of Rs 25,000 each on the accused.On Wednesday night, a police team led by Devendra Pratap Singh was conducting vehicle checks and searching for wanted criminals when they received information that two armed suspects were moving near Mudiyar Idgah on a motorcycle without a registration number and were allegedly planning another crime.Acting on the tip-off, police laid a cordon in the area. On spotting the police, the suspects allegedly attempted to flee on the motorcycle. During the chase, police claimed the accused opened fire, damaging the headlight of a police vehicle.Police said repeated warnings to surrender were ignored, following which officers fired in self-defence. Both suspects sustained bullet injuries in their right legs and were arrested.During interrogation, the accused admitted to targeting women and passers-by in isolated areas. They allegedly used illegal firearms to intimidate victims and escaped on high-speed motorcycles after committing the offences.
