2 looters held after encounter, weapons seized

Varanasi: In a swift operation, the Varanasi police arrested two looters who had attempted to loot a jeweller in Karaundi area on Friday night. The duo, identified as Rudra Pratap Singh alias Chandan and Anshu Kharwar of Chandauli district, were nabbed near Dhaphi area on Saturday late evening after an encounter with the police.
Both looters suffered bullet injuries in their legs and were admitted to hospital.
DCP Kashi zone Gaurav Banswal said the police had launched a manhunt for the duo, who had opened fire at the jeweller in the abortive loot bid on Friday night, after identifying them through CCTV footage. When the police received information about their movement on Varanasi-Chandauli highway, they cordoned off Dhaphi area and laid a trap. On being alerted by Lanka cops, teams from Chitaipur police station and Kashi zone’s Crime Branch also reached there.
As the looters reached the area, they opened indiscriminate fire at the police, who retaliated in self-defense. Both looters suffered bullet injuries in their legs and were taken into custody. The police recovered three pistols, live cartridges, and a motorcycle from them, the DCP added. The looters had attempted to loot jeweller Manoj Seth, when he was returning to his house after closing his showroom located in Susuwahi on Friday night. Despite suffering bullet injuries in his hand, Seth foiled their loot bid. The duo confessed to the crime and are currently undergoing treatment at the BHU trauma centre.