Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, August 7, 2025 – A notorious gangster from Jharkhand, Ashish Ranjan, also known as Chhotu Singh, was killed in a late-night encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) in Prayagraj’s Shankargarh area. The 28-year-old criminal, wanted for multiple murders and carrying a ₹4 lakh reward, was gunned down near Shivrajpur Chauraha after a fierce exchange of gunfire.
Police received a tip-off that Ashish was heading to Prayagraj, possibly to carry out a major crime. Acting on this, the STF, led by Inspector J.P. Rai, set up an ambush. When confronted, Ashish opened fire on the team with an AK-47 rifle and a 9mm pistol, narrowly missing officers. The STF returned fire in self-defense, critically injuring him. He was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead. Authorities recovered an AK-47, a 9mm pistol, 36 rounds of ammunition, and a motorcycle from the scene.
Ashish, a resident of Dhanbad, Jharkhand, had a long criminal record, including high-profile murders like that of police informer Neeraj Tiwari and land dealer Sarful Hasan. He was also linked to the killing of gangster Aman Singh inside Dhanbad Jail, a crime he reportedly confessed to in a viral video. Jharkhand Police and CID had been hunting him for years, with a permanent warrant issued against him.
The incident highlights the ongoing battle against organized crime in the region. The STF’s actions have dealt a blow to Jharkhand’s criminal underworld.
