Ghaziabad: A dramatic police operation to nab a notorious gangster in Ghaziabad turned violent late Sunday night (May 26), resulting in the death of a Noida Police constable. The altercation also left several officers injured.
The accused, identified as Qadir alias Manta, wanted in over 16 cases of robbery and gangsterism, was arrested following a chaotic shootout and stone-pelting incident that erupted when the police attempted to detain him from his lavish three-storey home in Nahal village.
Constable Saurabh Shot Amid Gunfire, Dies at Hospital
According to India Today, the cops from Phase-3 Police Station, Noida, had received a tip-off that Qadir was hiding in the Masuri area of Ghaziabad. Acting upon the information, the team reached the village around 12:30 AM and apprehended the suspect. However, as the officers began escorting Qadir out of the village, he reportedly shouted, alerting his associates who were hiding nearby.
Within moments, eight to ten men emerged and began hurling stones and firing bullets at the police. “The moment Qadir began shouting, chaos broke out. The attackers opened fire without warning,” a senior police official told Aaj Tak. In the ensuing violence, Constable Saurabh Kumar was shot in the head. He was rushed to Yashoda Hospital, where he was declared dead. Two to three other officers also sustained injuries but are currently stable.
Qadir's Fortress: A Mansion Built on Crime
The accused, described as a history-sheeter, is believed to have amassed crores through criminal activities. His residence, a three-storey mansion reportedly built from proceeds of crime, is equipped with CCTV surveillance and has now been secured by PAC forces. "He has fortified his home like a criminal citadel," said a police source, as per Aaj Tak.
An FIR has been lodged based on a complaint from a sub-inspector, and police have vowed strict action. While Qadir attempted to flee during the commotion, he was successfully re-arrested. Authorities are now tracking down his accomplices involved in the deadly ambush.
