Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Brajesh Pathak has praised the state police following an encounter in which those accused of killing singer Ankit Baliyan were reportedly killed, saying the action sends a strong message to criminal elements in the state.

Reacting to the police operation, Pathak said the morale of criminals had been shattered and asserted that the government would continue to take firm action against those involved in serious crimes. His remarks came after the police action against the alleged killers of Baliyan.

The case has drawn attention because of the involvement of the accused in the killing of the singer. The latest police action marks a significant development in the investigation and has prompted a strong political response from the Uttar Pradesh government.

Pathak's comments reflect the state government's continuing emphasis on its law-and-order approach. The deputy chief minister said that strict action would be taken against criminals and that the police would continue working to maintain security and public order.

The encounter also comes amid the broader focus on police operations against individuals accused of serious offences in Uttar Pradesh. The state government has repeatedly maintained that criminal activities will not be tolerated and that law enforcement agencies have been directed to act against those involved in violent crimes.

The killing of Ankit Baliyan had earlier brought attention to the circumstances surrounding the case and the search for those allegedly responsible. With the latest police operation, investigators are expected to examine the circumstances of the encounter and gather further evidence connected with the case.

The development has also renewed discussion around the Uttar Pradesh government's law-and-order strategy. Supporters of the police action view such operations as a deterrent against organised and violent crime, while encounters remain matters that are subject to established legal and investigative procedures.

Pathak's reaction underlines the government's political support for the police operation. He said the action had affected the morale of criminals, reinforcing the administration's message that those involved in criminal activities would face strong action.

Further details regarding the encounter, the identities and criminal records of the accused, and the investigation into Ankit Baliyan's killing will depend on official statements and police findings. Authorities are expected to provide additional information as the case progresses.

Four suspected members of the Deepak Nandal gang were killed and another was critically injured in a late-night encounter with Gurugram Police after an alleged extortion attempt at the residence of a property dealer in the city's Sushant Lok area. Three police personnel, including an Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI), also sustained bullet injuries during the exchange of fire.

According to police, the gunfight took place around 11:30 pm on Thursday in Sushant Lok Phase-2, where the accused allegedly entered the house of property dealer Vishal Berry, held him hostage and demanded several crores of rupees as extortion money.

Hostage Situation Triggered Police Action

Police said Vishal Berry, whose father was the founder of SGT University, allegedly received extortion threats from the Deepak Nandal gang. When he reportedly refused to pay the demanded amount, five armed men entered his residence and opened fire.

Family members alerted the police, following which Crime Branch teams rushed to the spot. According to ACP Sadar Dharamveer Singh, the accused allegedly fired at the police team when asked to surrender, leading to a retaliatory exchange of fire.

More than 20 rounds were reportedly fired during the encounter.

Four Accused Killed, One Critical

Five suspected gang members sustained bullet injuries during the gunfight. Doctors later declared four of them dead, while the fifth accused remains in critical condition at a hospital.

Police have yet to officially establish the identities of all the deceased. However, investigators said one of the deceased was from Fatehabad, while the injured accused has been identified as Shivam, a resident of Kota Bisar in Gurugram.

Authorities have sealed the encounter site and launched a detailed investigation.

Three Policemen Injured

The exchange of fire also left three police personnel injured.

Those hurt include:

• ASI Sunil of Crime Branch Sector-40

• Constable Manjeet

• Constable Shamsher

All three were admitted to Medanta Hospital, where they are undergoing treatment. Police said their condition is being monitored.

Scorpio SUV, Weapons Seized

Investigators recovered multiple firearms from the accused and seized the black Scorpio SUV allegedly used during the attack. The vehicle sustained damage during the exchange of fire, with its windshield shattered by bullets.

Forensic teams are examining the vehicle, recovered weapons and other evidence collected from the scene.

Deepak Nandal Gang Under Scanner

Police suspect all five accused were associated with the Deepak Nandal gang, which investigators believe operates through handlers based abroad.

According to ACP Dharamveer Singh, Vishal Berry had allegedly been receiving extortion threats from the gang before Thursday night's attack.

Investigators are now gathering information about Deepak Nandal's network, his associates and possible links to other organised crime cases.

Property Dealer Being Questioned

Police are also questioning Vishal Berry to establish the sequence of events leading to the attack, including when the alleged extortion demands were first made and the amount sought by the gang.

Officials said the investigation is focusing on the criminal backgrounds of the accused, the origin of the weapons recovered and whether additional members of the gang were involved in planning the incident.

Bhopal Encounter: Murder Accused Arrested Amid Protests by Hindu Organisations

Police apprehend Asif alias Bomb in a short exchange of fire, hours after protests over the killing of a 35-year-old tea seller turned violent near the Chief Minister’s residence.

Police on Wednesday arrested the prime accused in the murder of a tea seller following a brief encounter in Bhopal, even as protests by Hindu organisations demanding stringent action escalated in the city. The accused, identified as Asif alias Bomb, was injured in the leg during the exchange of fire with a police team and is currently undergoing treatment at Hamidia Hospital.

Accused Neutralised in Short Encounter

Police sources confirmed that the arrest was made late Wednesday evening based on a specific tip-off regarding the accused’s location. As the police team attempted to corner him, the accused opened fire at the officers. In the retaliatory firing, Asif sustained a bullet injury to his leg and was subdued. A country-made pistol and the knife used in the murder were reportedly recovered from his possession.

Protests Intensify Near CM Residence

The police action came against the backdrop of massive protests by the Sakal Hindu Samaj and other groups. Demonstrators broke through barricades at the Roshanpura intersection earlier in the day and marched towards the Chief Minister’s residence. The crowd was stopped by heavy police deployment at the Polytechnic crossing, just 100 meters from their target, leading to a sit-in protest and a road blockade.

Victim Killed Over Minor Argument

According to the police, the victim, Vijay Mewada (35), a resident of Subhash Colony, was attacked late Sunday night. Mewada, who ran two tea stalls in the Ashoka Garden and Kolar areas, had gone to drop off his employees near Pragati Nagar around 1:30 am when the incident occurred.

Dispute Over Employee Altercation

Investigations reveal that Asif and his accomplices—Farhan, Kalu, and Imran—were seated at the location and began misbehaving with Mewada’s staff. When the staff refused to accompany them citing early morning work, the argument escalated. Mewada intervened, trying to calm the situation, but was allegedly stabbed in the stomach by Asif.

Family Protests and Public Outrage

The murder sparked widespread anger, with the victim’s family and locals staging a blockade in Subhash Colony on Monday. They also protested outside the Hamidia Hospital mortuary and the local police station. The family has been demanding the imposition of the National Security Act (NSA) against the accused, a demand echoed by the protesting Hindu organisations.

Police Maintain Presence in Key Areas

Authorities have deployed additional police forces in sensitive areas, including the Hamidia Hospital and Ashoka Garden, to prevent any untoward incident. A senior police official stated that investigations are ongoing to track down the remaining accused, who are still at large following the initial attack.

Government and Future Outlook

Officials have assured that strict legal action will be taken against all perpetrators involved in the crime. With the primary accused now in custody, police are focusing on the swift arrest of his accomplices. The administration remains on high alert to maintain law and order, while community leaders have called for calm following the police action.