By India Today News Desk: I am responsible, said gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed while lamenting his son Asad Ahmed’s encounter on Thursday, sources told India Today.

According to a source, while being taken to Naini Jail, Atiq Ahmed requested the authorities that he be allowed to attend his son’s last rite.

Asad Amhed and his aide Ghulam, wanted in the Umesh Pal murder case, were killed in an encounter on Thursday by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) in Jhansi.

Addressing a press conference, Uttar Pradesh ADG Law and Order Prashant Kumar said there was firing from both sides, and in the conflict, the accused, Asad and Ghulam, were injured before succumbing to death.

The police had announced a reward of Rs 5 lakh for information on Asad and Ghulam.

UMESH PAL SHOOTING

Umesh Pal, a key witness in the 2005 murder case of then BSP MLA Raju Pal, and his two police security guards were shot dead outside his home in Prayagraj’s Dhoomanganj area on February 24 this year. In a CCTV footage, Asad was seen attacking Asad and his guards. Asad was seen attempting to shoot Umesh Pal in the head.

Based on a complaint lodged by Umesh Pal’s wife Jaya Pal, a case was registered on February 25 against Atiq Ahmed, his brother Ashraf, Asad, Ghulam and others.

After killing Umesh Pal in Paryagraj, and with the police tailing them, Asad and Ghulam went to Kanpur on a bike. From there they went to the Noida DND by bus. After getting off there, some people helped them flee to Delhi’s Sangam Vihar in an auto. They stayed there for 15 days.

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