Anuj Kannaujia, a notorious sharpshooter affiliated with the Mukhtar Ansari gang, was fatally shot in a police encounter in Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, on Saturday night. The operation was executed by a joint team comprising members of the Special Task Force (STF) from Gorakhpur and the Jharkhand Police, according to a statement released by the Uttar Pradesh STF.
During the encounter, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy SP) D.K. Shahi from the STF sustained injuries in the exchange of gunfire. The authorities confirmed that the operation was meticulously planned and launched based on specific intelligence inputs regarding Kannaujia’s movements in Jamshedpur.
Anuj Kannaujia, aged 50, had been on the run for the past five years and was one of the most wanted criminals in Uttar Pradesh. He faced as many as 23 criminal cases, including charges related to murder, extortion, illegal land grabbing, and arms smuggling. Due to the gravity of his crimes and his ability to evade law enforcement for years, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Prashant Kumar had recently increased the bounty on his capture from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh.
The operation to apprehend Kannaujia unfolded when law enforcement officers attempted to corner him in Jamshedpur. Upon realizing he was surrounded, he resorted to violent resistance, opening fire on the police personnel. Reports suggest that he fired nearly 20 rounds in an attempt to escape. In addition to using firearms, Kannaujia also hurled a bomb at the police team, escalating the situation further.
Faced with imminent danger, the police were compelled to retaliate. A fierce gun battle ensued, during which Kannaujia sustained multiple bullet wounds. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention, doctors declared him dead upon arrival. Additional Director General (ADG) of Law and Order Amitabh Yash confirmed his death and stated that the police had recovered two pistols and multiple live cartridges from the encounter site. Several mobile phones were also retrieved, which will be thoroughly examined to uncover details about Kannaujia’s criminal network and possible connections to other gang members.
Originally hailing from the Mau district in Uttar Pradesh, Anuj Kannaujia had earned a fearsome reputation as one of the most dangerous operatives of the Mukhtar Ansari gang, which wielded significant influence in the Azamgarh district and surrounding regions. His involvement in organized crime spanned numerous offenses, making him a prime target for law enforcement agencies for several years.
The police had been actively tracking Kannaujia’s movements for a long time, and after years of effort, they finally managed to locate him in Jamshedpur. His demise marks a significant victory in the ongoing crackdown against organized crime in Uttar Pradesh and beyond.
As part of the state’s broader anti-mafia campaign, authorities had previously taken stringent actions against Kannaujia and his associates. His residence was demolished as part of the crackdown on illegal properties linked to criminals, and his family members were booked under the stringent Gangsters Act. This move was intended to dismantle his influence and prevent any resurgence of his criminal empire.
Kannaujia’s criminal activities extended across multiple districts, making him a high-priority target for law enforcement agencies. His elimination in the recent encounter is seen as a major success in curbing organized crime and reducing the power of criminal syndicates operating in the region. The investigation into his network is still ongoing, with police hoping to uncover more details about his connections and possible associates in the underworld.