Liquor smuggler from Bihar gunned down in encounter with UP police

NOIDA: Mohammad Zahid alias Sonu, a 25-year-old suspected liquor smuggler from Patna, Bihar, died on Tuesday after an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh police in Ghazipur.
Zahid, who was wanted for the murder of two Railway Protection Force (RPF) constables, Javed Khan and Pramod Kumar, in August, had engaged in a gunfight with officials late on Monday and was injured.He succumbed to his injuries during treatment at the district hospital.
Zahid was implicated in several cases of kidnapping, assault, and liquor smuggling, and carried a bounty of Rs. 1 lakh for his capture. He was one of seven liquor smugglers suspected of killing the RPF constables on the intervening night of August 19-20 while they were trying to stop the smuggling of illegal liquor on the Barmer Guwahati Express, 15631. The constables were reportedly assaulted and pushed from the moving train, which led to their death.
A team of officials, including the Noida unit of STF and Ghazipur police, traced Zahid on Monday after receiving information that he might try to smuggle liquor on the same travel route near Dildarnagar. Zahid, resisting arrest, engaged in a gunfight with the police team and was injured, along with two police officials.
After being apprehended, Zahid was taken to the community health centre and referred to the district hospital, where he was declared dead. Further legal proceedings are underway, according to officials.
The incident highlights the ongoing issue of liquor smuggling in the region and the dangers faced by law enforcement officials in their efforts to combat this illegal activity. The death of the two RPF constables in August and the subsequent encounter with Zahid underscore the need for continued vigilance and decisive action against those involved in liquor smuggling and related crimes.
As the investigation into the case continues, it is hoped that the remaining suspects will be apprehended and brought to justice, ensuring that the sacrifices made by the fallen constables were not in vain. The authorities must also focus on addressing the root causes of liquor smuggling and implementing effective measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.