The prime suspect in the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr district was killed in a police encounter early Sunday, according to police officials. The incident took place in the Gulawathi area during an operation to trace the accused, who had been wanted in connection with the killing of the Class 4 student.

The accused, identified by police as Monu, was allegedly involved in the abduction, sexual assault and murder of the minor. Police had intensified efforts to locate him after the girl’s body was recovered from bushes near Vair railway station. A reward of ₹50,000 had also been announced for information leading to his arrest.

According to officials, the encounter occurred at around 4 am when a joint team of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit and local police was conducting checking in the Gulawathi area. During the operation, officers noticed two men travelling on a motorcycle that did not have a registration number.

Police said the two men were asked to stop but allegedly opened fire at the police team. The officers then returned fire, during which Monu sustained gunshot injuries.

He was subsequently taken to a hospital for treatment, where doctors declared him dead, police said.

Second suspect escapes from the spot

Police said another man who was travelling with Monu managed to escape from the scene, taking advantage of the darkness. Search operations were subsequently launched in the surrounding area to locate the second suspect.

Senior police officials said teams were conducting combing operations and checking possible escape routes as part of the effort to trace the absconding suspect.

The police operation also resulted in injuries to two members of the force. Special Operations Group sub-inspector Sandeep Kumar and constable Narendra Kumar sustained bullet injuries during the exchange of fire.

Two other police inspectors were also reportedly struck by bullets. Inspectors Shailendra Kumar of Sikandrabad and Dharmendra Sharma of Gulawathi were hit on their bulletproof jackets and escaped serious injury.

Police later recovered a pistol, two magazines, cartridges and the motorcycle allegedly used by the suspects from the encounter site.

Minor had gone missing from home

The case began after the 12-year-old girl went missing from the Kakod area of Bulandshahr. According to police, she disappeared from near her home on July 31 at around 3 pm.

Her family subsequently began searching for her and approached the authorities as efforts to locate her continued.

Police said the investigation indicated that the girl had allegedly been abducted by Monu. Investigators later relied on CCTV footage from the area, which reportedly showed the accused taking the girl away.

The footage became an important part of the investigation and helped police identify the suspect and begin efforts to trace his whereabouts.

Girl’s body recovered near railway station

The investigation took a tragic turn when the girl’s body was found in bushes close to Vair railway station on Saturday evening.

According to police, local residents noticed the body and informed the authorities. Officers who reached the location recovered the body and began investigating the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death.

Police said the girl had suffered multiple injuries. Injuries were reportedly found on several parts of her body, including her face, shoulders, hands, abdomen, chest and legs.

The discovery led to an intensified search for the suspected perpetrator.

Police announced reward for information

As the investigation progressed, police announced a ₹50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Monu.

The move reflected the urgency of the investigation as police teams worked to track down the suspect following the recovery of the minor’s body.

Investigators examined available CCTV footage and other information gathered during the inquiry to establish the suspected movements of the accused and determine his whereabouts.

Family assured of swift action

Following the recovery of the girl’s body, Bulandshahr Senior Superintendent of Police Dinesh Kumar Singh and local MLA Lakshmi Raj Singh visited the victim’s family.

The family was assured that the accused would be traced and arrested as quickly as possible.

The subsequent encounter came shortly after police launched intensified efforts to apprehend Monu.

Investigation continues

Although police said the prime suspect was killed during the encounter, the investigation is not yet over. Authorities are continuing efforts to locate the second person who allegedly fled from the scene.

The recovered firearm, ammunition and motorcycle are expected to form part of the evidence being examined by investigators. Police will also need to establish the circumstances surrounding the encounter and determine the role, if any, of the absconding suspect in the crime.

The case has drawn attention because of the age of the victim and the serious nature of the allegations. Investigators are expected to continue examining CCTV footage, physical evidence and other available material as they work to establish the complete sequence of events leading to the girl’s death.

Police have maintained that the encounter took place after the suspects allegedly opened fire when officers attempted to stop them. Further investigation will determine the circumstances surrounding the exchange of fire and the broader sequence of events in the case.