Ballia (UP), February 8 A criminal involved in thefts at temples in this area was arrested after an encounter with police, police said on Sunday.
Additional Superintendent of Police (North) Dinesh Kumar Shukla said that a team of Nagra police was conducting a check near Kharuanv Pokhara around 9:45 pm on Saturday when they spotted a suspicious person and asked him to stop.
The suspect opened fire at the police with the intention of killing, the ASP said.
Police retaliated in self-defense, during which the accused sustained a bullet injury in his left leg and was subsequently arrested.
The injured accused, Rudal Nat (25), a resident of Nakhara village, was identified.
During interrogation, the accused confessed that he and his associates had stolen a Shivling and a snake idol from the Budhwa temple on the night of January 4 and 5, the officer said.
Earlier, the accused had also broken into an ancient Durga temple and stolen ornaments and cash.
He was also involved in several other theft incidents in different police station areas of the district, Shukla added.
The injured accused is currently being treated at the Primary Health Centre in Nagra.
Police have recovered a locally made pistol and cartridges from his possession, the officer said.
