In a shocking incident on Sunday night, a Noida police constable was shot dead and several officers were injured when a mob violently attacked a police team in Ghaziabad’s Nahal village. The team had been deployed to apprehend a wanted criminal identified as Qadir, who is accused in more than two dozen criminal cases.
The incident occurred around 11 PM when officers from Noida’s Phase-3 police station reached Nahal village in the Masuri area to execute the arrest. As the police attempted to detain the accused, a large group of people gathered at the spot, quickly escalating into a violent mob. The group reportedly began hurling stones and opened fire on the police team.
Constable Saurabh Singh, one of the officers on duty, sustained a critical gunshot wound during the attack. He was immediately rushed to Yashoda Hospital but succumbed to his injuries. Two other police personnel were also injured and are currently undergoing treatment.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the mob was incited by local residents, possibly linked to the accused or his associates. Amid the chaos, Qadir managed to escape. The police have since launched a massive manhunt to nab both the main accused and those responsible for the mob attack.
Senior police officials have strongly condemned the incident and expressed grief over the loss of Constable Singh. “This is not just an attack on an individual officer but an attack on the law itself,” said a senior officer. He assured that strict action would be taken against all individuals involved in the crime, adding that the police would not be intimidated by such acts of violence.
An FIR has been lodged against several unidentified individuals under serious sections of the Indian Penal Code, including murder, rioting, unlawful assembly, and obstruction of public servants in the discharge of their duties. Police are also examining surveillance footage and collecting eyewitness accounts to identify the culprits.
This incident has reignited concerns about the safety and security of law enforcement officers during operations in high-tension zones. It also highlights the increasing challenges faced by the police when confronting organized resistance from criminal elements and their networks.
The sacrifice of Constable Saurabh Singh stands as a solemn reminder of the dangers associated with policing. As the investigation continues, the law enforcement community and the public await justice for the fallen officer and a firm crackdown on those who challenge the rule of law.
