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Prayagraj: In a significant development, a close associate of the late underworld figure Atiq Ahmed, sought by authorities and carrying a reward, was apprehended by Prayagraj Police on Wednesday night following a gunfire encounter. The incident unfolded near the Anapur outpost of Nawabganj Police Station when two individuals, driving through a police barricade during a routine check, opened fire at the police.
In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, one of the assailants was shot in the leg and subsequently detained by the police, while the other managed to evade capture and escape. The injured suspect, identified during interrogation as Mohammad Nafees, also known as Nafees Biryani, is a key accused in the Umesh Pal murder case. He was promptly admitted to a hospital for medical treatment.
The Prayagraj Police had previously announced a reward of ₹50,000 for any information leading to the arrest of Nafees. This development is a crucial breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the murder of Umesh Pal, the primary witness in the BSP MLA Raju Pal murder case. Umesh Pal was fatally shot in broad daylight, and the Hyundai Creta car used in the murder was linked to Mohammad Nafees, who had been on the run since the killing.
The arrest of Nafees comes against the backdrop of heightened efforts by law enforcement to address criminal activities linked to Atiq Ahmed’s network. Notably, in April of the current year, Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were fatally shot by individuals posing as media personnel. The incident occurred while the two incarcerated criminals were being transported to a hospital in Prayagraj under police custody. This recent arrest marks a significant stride in the ongoing efforts to bring those associated with organized crime to justice.
