A 36-year-old fugitive named Amjad, who was carrying a Rs 50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest, was shot dead by police in an encounter in Budhana early on Thursday, February 12, 2026, authorities said. The incident unfolded after police stopped a vehicle for checking and came under fire from the accused, leading to a retaliatory exchange that resulted in his death.

The police encounter was confirmed by Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kumar, who said Amjad opened fire at the police team during a routine vehicle check, prompting officers to return fire. Amjad was killed in the retaliatory firing by the police, the SSP told reporters.

Attack On Police And Background Of The Accused

Amjad was reportedly wanted in around 40 criminal cases, including loot and murder across multiple states, including Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan, and had cases registered against him in several districts of western Uttar Pradesh, such as Muzaffarnagar, Noida, Ghaziabad and Meerut.

During the encounter, a sub-inspector and a constable, identified as Sandeep Choudhary and Isfak, sustained bullet injuries and were rushed to hospital. Police said their condition was stable.

Police also seized a pistol and a motorcycle from the scene, indicating the accused was armed at the time of the confrontation. Further investigations are underway to piece together the full sequence of events and determine the detailed circumstances of the exchange.

The encounter adds to a series of recent police actions against wanted criminals in Uttar Pradesh, reflecting sustained efforts to apprehend fugitives with significant bounties on their heads and curb organised crime in the region.