Jaunpur: Head Constable Durgesh Kumar Singh was fatally run over by cattle smugglers during a vehicle inspection near Khujhni crossing late Saturday night.
The entire incident was captured on a hotel CCTV camera, showing a speeding pickup truck deliberately crushing the 38-year-old officer. Police immediately launched a manhunt, intercepting the suspects 24 kilometers away in Talabela village after they abandoned their vehicle and switched to motorcycles.
An exchange of gunfire occurred during the arrest operation, resulting in the death of smuggler Salman from Muthrapur Kotwa. Two accomplices, Narendra Yadav and Golu Yadav, were arrested with leg injuries and hospitalized in stable condition. Three other suspects managed to escape on bikes. The slain constable, a 14-year police veteran, is survived by his schoolteacher wife Priyanka and two young daughters in Sidhauni village.
Jaunpur SSP confirmed the deceased smuggler had prior livestock theft cases. The incident follows another attack on police personnel by cattle smugglers in the district just three days prior. Constable Singh had visited his Chandouli home briefly on May 15, unaware it would be his final family visit.
