Ghaziabad teen murder: Main accused Asad killed in police encounter days after Bakrid stabbing

Asad, who had been absconding since the May 28 attack and carried a reward of Rs 50,000 on his arrest, was shot during an exchange of fire with police in a joint operation conducted by the Khoda and Indirapuram police teams.

Police said Asad sustained gunshot injuries during retaliatory firing and was taken to hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

A police officer was also injured in the encounter and is undergoing treatment.

Murder triggered public anger

The encounter comes days after Surya Pratap Chauhan was allegedly stabbed by Asad and his associates in Ghaziabad's Khoda area on the day of Bakrid.

The teenager was critically injured in the attack and later died while undergoing treatment at a hospital.

The incident triggered widespread anger among local residents, family members and several Hindu organisations, who staged protests demanding the immediate arrest of those involved.

"On May 28, Asad and his aides had attacked Surya Pratap Chauhan with a knife in the Khoda area. Critically injured Surya was admitted to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries during treatment," Deputy Commissioner of Police Dhaval Jaiswal said.

Police operation based on intelligence input

According to police, five people were named as accused in the murder case. Three were arrested shortly after the incident, but Asad remained at large.

To track him down, multiple police teams were formed and a reward of Rs 50,000 was announced for information leading to his arrest.

Police said they received intelligence that Asad was planning to flee the area after collecting money from associates.

"Acting on this information, the police set up barricades at multiple locations and launched an intensive checking drive. During this operation, Asad was spotted approaching on a motorcycle along with an aide," Jaiswal said.

"When the police attempted to intercept him, he opened fire on the police team. The police returned fire, during which Asad sustained critical gunshot injuries," he added.

Police recovered a motorcycle and a weapon from the encounter site.

Search on for accomplice

Officials said Asad's aide managed to escape during the encounter.

A combing operation has been launched to trace and arrest the absconding suspect, while further legal proceedings in the case are underway.

Victim's family demands action against others

Following news of the encounter, Surya Pratap Chauhan's mother demanded similar action against all those allegedly involved in her son's murder.

"I have only seen the encounter of one person. But I want to see the picture of Asad. I will be satisfied after I see the picture. The encounter of others should also happen like this. Seven people did this to my son. Bulldozers should run over everyone's houses," she said.

Political reactions

Following Chauhan's death, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya had said the killers would not be spared and would face the strictest punishment under the law.

Meanwhile, Mayawati described the incident as "extremely tragic and worrying" and called for strict action against those responsible.

The investigation into the murder and the search for the remaining accused continue.