Alleged criminal killed in encounter, claim police

A wanted criminal was killed and a constable injured in an encounter here in Alinagar area today, police said.

Virendra Denvanshi, carrying a reward of Rs 25,000 and a native of Phulpur in Varanasi district was killed during an exchange of fire with the police near Launda village this afternoon, Circle Officer Pradeep Chandel said.

Acting on a tip-off that some criminals were moving on motor bikes, a checking drive was held in Alinagar area, where five men on two motor bikes were stopped, he said.

They tried to escape by opening fire but the police retaliated and one criminal was injured, he claimed adding that three of his associates managed to escape while one was nabbed.

The injured, identified as Denvanshi, was rushed to the district hospital but succumbed to his injuries there, the officer said.

The injured constable was undergoing treatment at a hospital in Varanasi district, he said.