The Uttar Pradesh police's special task force on Thursday (13 April) shot and killed Mohd Asad (son of jailed gangster-politician Atiq Ahmed) and his accomplice Ghulam Mohd in a shootout near Jhansi.

The fugitive duo had been on the run for 50 days after being accused of killing Prayagraj lawyer Umesh Pal, the main witness in the 2005 murder of Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) legislator Raju Pal.

Atiq Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were the main suspects in the member of legislative assembly (MLA)'s killing.

Four of the accused involved in Pal's murder have now been killed.

Police had received information that Asad and Ghulam were waiting to ambush a convoy bringing Atiq Ahmed from Sabarmati jail to Prayagraj via Jhansi, according to Special DG (law and order) Prashant Kumar.

The police had been directed to remain vigilant across the district, and support from police headquarters in the form of special teams had been provided.

Around 12.30 pm, a five-member team led by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Navendu and another five-member team led by DSP Vimal Kumar Singh intercepted the two, but they opened fire and fled into the jungle.

After a cat-and-mouse chase, the duo was cornered near the Parichha power plant of Jhansi.

Police asked them to surrender, but Asad and Ghulam started shooting again. The police retaliated, killing both of them.

A British Bulldog revolver, a Walther pistol, and ammunition were later found on their bodies.

The news of his son's death reached Atiq Ahmed while he was in the Prayagraj chief judicial magistrate court for a hearing on his remand plea.

Atiq Ahmed appeared rattled but stayed calm, said lawyer Daya Shankar Mishra.

The killing of Asad and Ghulam is a stark reminder of the ongoing battle between law enforcement agencies and dangerous criminals. The police are working hard to put an end to the gang violence that has plagued parts of the country.