A tragic incident unfolded in Jaunpur district, Uttar Pradesh, where a police constable was killed after being run over by alleged cattle smugglers. The incident occurred during a vehicle check near Khujji turn under the Chandavak police station area on the night of May 17, 2025. In the aftermath, one of the alleged smugglers was killed in an encounter with the police, while two others were injured and apprehended.
According to police reports, the team was conducting checking at Khujji turn around 11:30 pm when they signaled a pickup truck, purportedly carrying cattle smugglers, to stop. Instead of complying, the driver accelerated in an attempt to flee, hitting Head Constable Durgesh Kumar Singh, 34, in the process. Singh sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a hospital in Varanasi, where he was declared dead.
The incident prompted a widespread police response, with officers from nearby stations and the Special Operations Group (SOG) mobilized to pursue the fleeing suspects. The smugglers, while escaping towards Varanasi, abandoned their pickup vehicle and continued their escape on two motorcycles. Near Cholapur in Varanasi, they reportedly opened fire on the pursuing police team.
In the ensuing exchange of fire, one of the alleged cow smugglers, identified as Salman, 24, sustained fatal injuries and died. Two other individuals, Narendra and Golu Yadav, were shot in the leg and were taken into custody.
The Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP), Prashant Kumar, issued a statement outlining the events and emphasizing the deliberate nature of the attack on the police personnel. He noted that on the night of May 14 and May 15, cow smugglers intentionally struck Pratima Singh, the in-charge of Parauganj police outpost, and other officers with their vehicle, with the intent to cause death. Pratima Singh was seriously injured in the prior incident and is currently receiving treatment at a trauma center in Varanasi. Following that incident, a district-wide checking campaign against cow smugglers was initiated.
The tragic death of Head Constable Durgesh Kumar Singh has sparked outrage, with many videos of the incident circulating on social media. The incident has ignited discussions about the risks law enforcement officers face and the challenges of combating illegal cattle smuggling in the region.
