A suspected cattle smuggler was killed and another injured following a fierce gunbattle with police in Deeg district, Rajasthan, on Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
The police said they intercepted a group of smugglers near Ghatmika village in the Pahari police station area after receiving a tip-off about illegal cattle transportation. The group, led by notorious cattle smuggler Hasam Mev, his son Ashiq Mev, and two accomplices, was escorting a mini-truck loaded with cattle on motorcycles, according to the police.
According to Pahari SHO Yogendra Singh, upon spotting the police, the smugglers opened fire, triggering a retaliatory gunfight that lasted nearly half an hour. During the exchange, Ashiq Mev, aged 30, was shot and later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. Hasam Mev sustained injuries and is currently undergoing treatment at RBM Hospital in Bharatpur.
Three policemen also sustained injuries during the encounter.
Bharatpur Range IG Rahul Prakash said that Hasam Mev had been a wanted criminal for over three years, with multiple cases against him for cattle smuggling, attacks on police, and related crimes. A reward of Rs 45,000 was announced for his arrest.
“The police had announced a reward for Hasam’s capture. He was on the run for years and involved in several criminal activities,” said IG Prakash.
After the firing, the smugglers fled with the vehicle carrying cattle. Forensic teams have been called in to determine the number of rounds fired from both sides. Investigations are ongoing, the police said.
