Two criminals killed in encounter

Two criminals were killed and a policeman was injured in an encounter on the outskirts of the national capital here in the wee hours on Monday.

The exchange of fire occurred when police challenged the criminals trying to escape in a car which they had forcibly taken away a doctor after beating him up and threatening him with dire consequences at around 2.30 a.m. when he was returning home, the SSP Ghaziabad Akhil Kumar said.

Following a complaint by the doctor, the police swung into action and challenged them. He said that in the encounter the criminals in their 20s were killed. Some arms were recovered from the spot.

Mr. Kumar said a policeman was injured in the encounter and was rushed to hospital.

The encounter took place a day after Director General of Police (West UP) Arvind Kumar Jain asked his officials to tackle hardcore criminals stringently to reduce the crime graph in the region.

In a similar case a month back, a doctor was kidnapped.

Police had rescued the doctor and recovered Rs 18 lakhs, allegedly paid as ransom.