In a major breakthrough, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) neutralized a wanted gangster during a joint operation in Agra. The accused, Pawan alias Kallu, carried a reward of ₹50,000 and had more than 18 serious criminal cases registered against him, including murder and extortion. The encounter took place in the Tajganj area of Agra after intelligence inputs suggested he was planning a major crime. Acting on the tip-off, the STF’s Noida unit coordinated with local police to launch a joint operation. During checking, the accused attempted to flee but got entangled near police barricading. He reportedly opened fire at the police team, prompting retaliatory firing. Kallu sustained bullet injuries and was rushed to a hospital, where he was declared dead. Police recovered a 9mm pistol, a .32 bore pistol, and a stolen motorcycle from his possession. The 9mm weapon was reportedly a government-issued firearm looted from a constable in 2016 in Bisrakh, Gautam Buddh Nagar. Kallu was said to be associated with the Randeep Bhati–Amit Kasana gang and was absconding in connection with an extortion case.

