Notorious gang leader held after encounter in Uttarakhand
In a major breakthrough, Uttarakhand Police have apprehended Ehsan, a notorious gangster wanted for cattle slaughter and smuggling across multiple states. The 22-year-old from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, was injured in a police encounter in the Timli forest area before being taken into custody. His arrest is a significant milestone in the crackdown against organised crime in the region.
A long trail of crime
Ehsan was wanted in over a dozen criminal cases related to cattle smuggling in Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. With 18 prior criminal cases, authorities had placed a bounty of Rs 15,000 on him. His name was also on Haryana’s most-wanted list, highlighting the extensive reach of his illegal activities.
On April 1, police launched a targeted operation at Ehsan’s suspected hideout. The following morning, as he attempted to flee on a motorcycle near the Uttarakhand-Uttar Pradesh border, he opened fire on the police. Officers returned fire, injuring him in the leg before arresting him. A 12-bore pistol, live ammunition, and a spent cartridge were recovered from him.
The high-profile arrest was the result of a well-coordinated effort between Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand police, led by Dehradun SSP and Sirmaur Superintendent of Police (SP). Before Ehsan’s capture, 10 other individuals linked to the same smuggling network had been arrested — eight by Uttarakhand Police and two by Himachal Pradesh Police. With Ehsan’s arrest, the total number of suspects has risen to 11, with further arrests expected.
Aimed at stirring tensions
Investigations have revealed that the gang targeted stray animals grazing along the Yamuna, which separates Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. Intelligence reports suggest that on March 31, the gang deliberately dumped cattle remains along the riverbank — a date that coincided with Navratri and Eid-ul-Fitr — in an apparent attempt to incite communal unrest.
However, instead of division, the incident led to unity. Both majority and minority communities came together, demanding strict action against the accused. On March 31, a large demonstration took place on the Chandigarh-Dehradun National Highway 07, temporarily halting traffic. Community leaders stood side by side, reinforcing that harmony will always triumph over hatred.
Police vow continued action
Dehradun SSP Ajai Singh confirmed that Ehsan’s elder brother, who also faces 15 criminal cases, is currently in jail for similar offences. Singh stated that additional sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) might be added as the investigation progresses, and he assured the public that the crackdown will continue until all involved are brought to justice.
Sirmaur SP Nishchint Singh Negi emphasised that this was not an isolated case, but rather a joint operation between Himachal and Uttarakhand Police to dismantle organised crime along the interstate border. He confirmed that two suspects have been arrested in Himachal, while one remains at large, with efforts underway to capture him soon.
