THE STATE police today succeeded in gunning down dreaded dacoit Kalua Yadav, who had been operating in the Ganga ravines in Shahjahanpur-Farrukhabad region for the last 20 years. Politically well-connected, Kalua Yadav was a terror in Bareilly, Shahjahanpur, Etah and Farrukhabad districts.
Carrying a reward of Rs one lakh on his head, Kalua was responsible for the killing of around 20 police personnel in his area of operation. According to DSP Faridpur (Bareilly) Itpal Singh, who led the operation, the gang consisting of around 15 members was camping in Manpur area on Sunday. In a swift move the police party surrounded the Manpur ravines but avoided fire because of dense fog. The police party waited for the whole night and at dawn break on Monday swooped on the gang. Singh said while Kalua was killed on the spot, other members succeeded in escaping into the ravines. He said the police had launched a hunt for another gang member who was seriously injured in the firing.
He said the police could only recover two firearms from the site. The gang was equipped with highly sophisticated weapons. According to the police, the gang had three carbines, and several self-loading rifles.
{{/usCountry}}He said the police could only recover two firearms from the site. The gang was equipped with highly sophisticated weapons. According to the police, the gang had three carbines, and several self-loading rifles.
{{/usCountry}}Kalua had started his crime career in the gang of Chandra Sen and later joined Lalla Rani Thakur gang. Though active in ravines since 1986, his gang was ‘registered’ in January 2000.
After elimination of the Thakur gang, Kalua formed his own gang. More than 90 cases of murder, kidnapping and loot were pending against him. In 2000, the gang had raided Marudhar Express at Narthar (Etah) railway station and killed four cops, including one inspector and a sub-inspector. He was the only dacoit who had killed largest numbers of cops in the state.