In a violentencounter in Kanpur, at least eight Uttar Pradesh police personnel, including adeputy superintendent of police, were killed, while trying to arrest a criminalfacing up to 60 criminal cases, early on Friday, July 3. Four policemensuffered bullet injuries and are undergoing treatment. One of them is said tobe in a serious condition. The deceased deputy SP was identified as DevendraMishra. A circle officer, station officer, chowki in-charge, sub-inspector,along with four other constables also lost their lives. The personnel werefired upon when they went to conduct a raid in Bikaru village in search of thecriminal, identified as Vikas Dubey. "They had gone to arrest himfollowing a complaint of attempt to murder against him. They wereambushed," SSP Kanpur said.

According toreports, Vikas Dubey is wanted in more than 100 criminal cases and wasallegedly involved in the murder of a BJP politician in 2001, but was lateracquitted. "We have started the combing operation.... The injured arebeing treated at the hospital. Police from neighbouring districts of Kannaujand Kanpur Dehat have also been called," he said. As per UP DGP HCAwasthi, seven other personnel were also injured and the operation is stillunderway as the criminals managed to escape. "A Case under Section 307 waslodged against history-sheeter Vikas Dubey. The police had gone to arrest him.JCBs were put up there which obstructed our vehicles. When the force got down,criminals opened fire. There was retaliatory firing but the criminals were at aheight, so eight of our men died," DGP Awasthia narrated the events. ChiefMinister Yogi Adityanath expressed his condolences over the incident, and hasdirected the state police chief HC Awasthi to take stringent action and hasalso sought a report.