Hapur, July 28 – A major police operation in Uttar Pradesh’s Hapur district ended with the death of Dablu Yadav, a notorious criminal from Bihar with a ₹50,000 bounty on his head. The encounter, which took place late Sunday night in the Simbhaoli police station area, involved a joint team of the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF), Bihar Police, and local Hapur police. Dablu Yadav, wanted for multiple serious crimes including murder and kidnapping, was killed during a firefight. Here’s a detailed look at the incident, its background, and what it means for the region.
Details of the Encounter
The encounter unfolded on the night of July 27-28, near the Badhada canal bridge in Simbhaoli, Hapur. Acting on a tip-off that Dablu Yadav was hiding in the area, the UP STF’s Noida unit, along with Bihar Police and local forces, launched a joint operation. According to Circle Officer Varun Mishra, Yadav, also known as Suraj Yadav, opened fire on the police team when cornered. In the retaliatory firing, he was shot in the chest and critically injured. He was rushed to a nearby hospital but was declared dead during treatment. Police recovered a carbine, a Star pistol, a country-made pistol, and several rounds of ammunition from the scene, highlighting the criminal’s armed threat.
Dablu Yadav’s Criminal Background
Yadav, a resident of Gyandol village in Sahebpur Kamal, Begusarai, Bihar, was a dreaded gangster with 24 serious criminal cases against him. These included charges of murder, attempted murder, robbery, extortion, illegal arms possession, and kidnapping, with 22 cases registered in Begusarai alone and others in Ballia (UP) and Munger (Bihar). His gang, listed as “A 121” in Begusarai records, was notorious for terrorizing the region. On May 24, 2025, Yadav and his gang abducted Vikas Kumar, alias Rakesh Kadam, a block president of the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) party, in Begusarai. They brutally murdered him and buried his body in the Diara region’s sand to hide the crime, sparking public outrage and a ₹50,000 reward for his capture.
Impact on Regional Safety
Dablu Yadav’s death marks a significant blow to organized crime in Begusarai and neighboring areas. His gang’s activities, including extortion and violence, had instilled fear in local communities for years. Residents of Sahebpur Kamal, where Yadav operated, expressed relief, with some hoping this signals stronger law enforcement. Authorities are now focusing on dismantling the rest of Yadav’s network to prevent retaliatory crimes, with Bihar Police intensifying efforts to locate his accomplices. This encounter underscores the ongoing battle against organized crime in northern India.
What Happens Next?
The Hapur police and UP STF are preparing a detailed report on the encounter, which will be submitted to the state government. The focus now shifts to tracking Yadav’s remaining gang members, who may still pose a threat. Families affected by his crimes, particularly Vikas Kumar’s, have demanded justice for his associates. While this operation is a win for law enforcement, it also sparks discussions about encounter policies and the need for preventive measures to stop such criminals from thriving. For now, Hapur and Begusarai breathe a cautious sigh of relief as one chapter of crime closes.
