He was betrayed by his own men
Nirbhay Gujjar also known as the Veerappan of north India who was shot dead in an encounter, was actually betrayed by one of his own men.
Nirbhay Gujjar also known as the Veerappan of north India who was shot dead in an encounter, was actually betrayed by one of his own men.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav has congratulated the Special Task Force team on this success and Director General of Police Yashpal Singh has declared an out-of-turn promotion for all those involved in the operation.
Gujjar had survived 73 encounters with the police over the years but the 74th encounter proved fatal for the bandit who had entered the ravines 25 years ago as a member of the Lalaram gang that gained notoriety after raping Phoolan Devi.
The STF team had been closely monitoring Gujjar's movements for the past five months and had even camped in the ravines for almost a fortnight last month. After winning over the confidence of informers one of whom was, ironically, a member of the Gujjar gang the STF team began monitoring the movement of the bandit whose gang had been depleted considerably after five of his men were killed by the police earlier this year.
The STF, sources claim, had weaned away one of his gang members who had been providing information about the bandit's whereabouts.
The STF team reached Etawah five days ago. On Monday evening, the STF learnt of Gujjar's presence in Niyamatpur village and the team reached there around 7pm and surrounded the house where he was putting up with his gang members.
Sensing danger, Gujjar and his men opened fire at the STF team and fled into the ravines with the policemen in hot pursuit.
"There were more than half a dozen persons with Gujjar who kept firing at us but we did not give up the operation and finally Gujjar fell to the bullet," SSP Akhil Kumar said.
