BAREILLY, UTTAR PRADESH — In a swift and dramatic turn of events, the Bareilly police shot dead a man identified as Afsar Khan (alias Baura) in a late-night encounter. The shootout occurred less than 24 hours after Afsar allegedly went on a stabbing spree during a family panchayat, killing his mother-in-law and brother-in-law, and critically injuring his wife.
Bloodbath at the Family Panchayat
The tragedy unfolded on Monday afternoon in the Rahpura Chaudhary locality under the Izzatnagar police station. A family panchayat had been convened to resolve a long-standing domestic dispute between Afsar and his 30-year-old wife, Saima. According to eyewitnesses and police reports, the mediation turned into a scene of carnage when Afsar suddenly whipped out a sharp knife.
In front of his two young children (aged 8 and 5), Afsar attacked his mother-in-law, Asma (54), and his brother-in-law, Adil (19). Both victims suffered multiple stab wounds and bled to death at the scene. When Saima desperately tried to intervene to save her family, Afsar turned the blade on her, leaving her with life-threatening injuries before he fled the spot.
The Midnight Encounter
Following the double murder, Bareilly SSP Anurag Arya formed multiple teams to track down the fugitive. Based on a tip-off about his movement near the Sahara Ground area, police intercepted Afsar late Monday night.
Instead of surrendering, the suspect reportedly opened fire on the police team with a country-made pistol. In the retaliatory firing that followed, Afsar was hit and critically wounded. He was rushed to the district hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. A forensic team recovered a firearm and live cartridges from the encounter site.
History of Marital Discord
Investigations revealed a troubled history for the couple, who married in 2017. Saima had recently moved back to her parents’ house following frequent physical abuse and quarrels. Despite two previous attempts at reconciliation through community elders, the tension remained high.
“The accused had pre-planned the attack, carrying a concealed weapon to the meeting meant for peace,” said a senior police official. CCTV footage recovered from the house captured the horrifying sequence of events, providing crucial evidence for the investigators.
Current Status and Relief for Survivors
The area remains under heavy police presence to prevent any communal or retaliatory flare-ups. Saima remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of a private hospital, where her condition is reported to be stable but critical.
The elimination of the accused has brought a grim sense of closure to the bereaved family. Local residents, shocked by the audacity of the crime in a crowded panchayat, have praised the police for their rapid response in delivering “spot justice.”