A wanted criminal and key accused in the killing of a Gorakhpur youth and cow smuggling rackets was gunned down in a police encounter in Rampur late on Thursday (September 25), police officials confirmed. The incident took place near Chaukhandi under Ganj police station limits when Zubair alias ‘Kalia’, 26, opened fire at a police team chasing him. In retaliatory firing, he was injured and later succumbed during treatment at the district hospital.
Sub-inspector Rahul Jadaun and constable Sandeep Kumar were also injured in the exchange of fire and are undergoing treatment. Senior officers, including the Circle Officer (City), rushed to the spot to maintain law and order.
Criminal Background and Reward
Zubair, son of Firasat alias Naurangi of Gher Mardan Khan locality in Rampur, carried a reward of ₹1 lakh for his arrest. He had a long criminal history spanning at least 18 cases registered in Rampur, Gonda, Balrampur, and Gorakhpur districts. His offences included cow slaughter, cattle smuggling, theft, burglary, cheating, and serious charges under the Arms Act and Gangsters Act.
According to officials, Zubair had been involved in animal cruelty and illegal cattle trade since he was 17 years old. The first case against him was registered in 2017 when he was only 18. He was on the run for several months, frequently shifting hideouts across eastern Uttar Pradesh to evade arrest. His three brothers, Uwaid, Zaid, and Salib, are also history-sheeters, police said.
Linked to Gorakhpur Student’s Murder
On September 16, 19-year-old NEET aspirant Deepak Gupta was abducted and beaten to death by cow smugglers when villagers confronted the gang in Gorakhpur’s Pipraich area. Zubair’s name came up during the investigation into the brutal killing, leading to an intensive search for him. Four accused – Ajab Hussain, Chhotu, Raju, and Rahim – were earlier arrested in connection with the case.
DIG Shivasimpi Chanappa and a Special Task Force (STF) unit coordinated efforts across multiple districts to locate Zubair. Officials said his arrest, or in this case his elimination, is a crucial breakthrough in cracking down on the larger cattle smuggling syndicate operating in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Crackdown on Organised Crime
Police confirmed that Zubair’s properties and assets will be scrutinised as part of ongoing action against organised crime. Authorities believe his gang provided logistical support in cattle smuggling networks that led to Deepak’s murder. “The encounter is a significant step in dismantling the chain of cattle smugglers wreaking havoc in this region,” a senior officer said.
