Rishikesh/Sitamarhi: Two alleged criminals from Bihar’s Sitamarhi district, who were wanted in connection with the murder of a CSP operator, were injured in a police encounter in Uttarakhand’s Rishikesh and subsequently arrested, police said.
The accused have been identified as Wasim and Akram, residents of Mahuagachhi village under Nanpur police station limits in Sitamarhi district. Both sustained bullet injuries to their legs during the encounter and were admitted to a hospital for treatment.
According to police, the duo had been absconding since the murder of CSP operator Sundar Yadav, who was allegedly shot dead on May 17, 2026, in Sitamarhi.
The encounter took place in a forested area behind Khand village in Rishikesh.
Police Say Accused Opened Fire During Chase
Police said they received intelligence inputs that Wasim and Akram were hiding in the Rishikesh area. Following the tip-off, teams from Bihar Police and Uttarakhand Police launched a joint operation to trace them.
Investigators later learned that the suspects were attempting to flee through a forest route near Dhalwala. Acting on the information, police teams laid a cordon and erected barricades along a road near the forest.
Upon spotting the barricades, the accused allegedly tried to escape on a motorcycle. Police pursued them, following which Wasim reportedly opened fire with a pistol. The suspects also allegedly attempted to ram their motorcycle into police personnel while trying to evade arrest.
In retaliatory action, police fired at the accused. Both men sustained gunshot injuries to their legs and fell to the ground, after which they were taken into custody.
During the exchange of fire, a bullet allegedly fired by the accused struck a police vehicle, shattering one of its windows.
Sitamarhi Superintendent of Police Amit Ranjan said Wasim is facing multiple criminal cases, including murder and robbery.
Linked to Earlier Firing Incident in Rishikesh
Police officials said that after the Sitamarhi murder, Wasim, Akram and one of their associates had taken shelter in Rishikesh.
On June 5, the trio was allegedly consuming alcohol in the Bhattowala area of Shyampur when local residents objected and asked them to leave. Police said the three men later returned to the area and allegedly opened fire on residents.
Locals managed to apprehend one of their associates and handed him over to the police. However, Wasim and Akram escaped from the scene and remained on the run until the latest encounter.
Police had announced a reward of ₹15,000 each for information leading to the arrest of the two accused. Several local organisations had also demanded their immediate arrest and warned of protests, including a highway blockade, if action was not taken.
Further investigation is underway.
