A joint operation by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force’s (STF) Noida unit and Agra police ended in the death of a most-wanted gangster during an encounter in Agra’s Ekta police station area.
The accused, identified as Pawan alias Kallu, son of Sant Ram and a resident of Sirauli in Loni, Ghaziabad, was initially injured in the exchange of fire and rushed to hospital, where he later succumbed during treatment.
Pawan carried a reward of Rs 50,000 and was wanted in a case of extortion registered at Tajganj police station in Agra Commissionerate. Police said he was a shooter for the Randeep Bhati–Amit Kasana gang, identified by the Uttar Pradesh government as a notorious criminal network.
He had more than 18 criminal cases registered against him, including four for murder and two for extortion. In 2021, he had carried a Rs 1 lakh reward in a murder case and was later sent to jail from Delhi.
Police said that during his time in prison, Pawan came in contact with the Himanshu Bhau gang of Haryana. After being released from jail in 2025, he allegedly resumed large-scale extortion activities and was planning major crimes in Delhi and western Uttar Pradesh in coordination with the gang.
During the encounter, STF recovered a 9mm pistol from the spot. Officials said the weapon had been looted in 2016 from Constable Monu Dhiman of Uttar Pradesh Police, who was deployed as a gunner to an Additional District Judge in Greater Noida. A case (No. 247/16 under Sections 279, 337, 392, 427 IPC) was registered at Bisrakh police station in connection with that incident.
Police said Pawan used the same looted pistol to fire at the STF team during the encounter.
A large quantity of cartridges and other weapons were also recovered from the site. Further investigation is underway.
– Ends
Published By:
Nitish Singh
Published On:
Feb 28, 2026 06:10 IST
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