Mukhtar Ansari Gang Sharpshooter Killed in Muzaffarnagar Encounter

Mukhtar Ansari Gang Sharpshooter Killed in Muzaffarnagar Encounter

Mukhtar Ansari Gang Hitman Killed in UP Encounter: Arms and Ammunition Seized in Major Operation

Muzaffarnagar, July 14 – In a significant breakthrough against organized crime in western Uttar Pradesh, the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) gunned down a notorious hitman affiliated with the Mukhtar Ansari-Sanjeev Jeeva gang during an early morning encounter near Chapar police station limits in Muzaffarnagar.

The gangster, identified as Shahrukh Pathan, a resident of Khalapar locality in Muzaffarnagar, had over a dozen criminal cases to his name, including murder, extortion, attempt to murder, and violations under the Gangster Act and Arms Act. According to police officials, Pathan was a trusted sharpshooter in the gang led by the late Sanjeev Maheshwari alias Jeeva and operated under the broader influence of jailed don Mukhtar Ansari.

History of Crime and Infamy

Shahrukh Pathan first gained notoriety in 2015, when he shot and killed Asif Jayda while in police custody at Muzaffarnagar railway station. After his initial arrest, he came into close contact with ganglords Mukhtar Ansari and Sanjeev Jeeva while in jail, eventually becoming a core part of their criminal network.

In 2016, Pathan managed to escape from police custody, intensifying the manhunt for him. The following year, acting on Jeeva’s instructions, he allegedly murdered Goldie, a businessman from Haridwar. In a shocking turn, he also allegedly killed Asif Jayda’s father, the lone witness in the earlier murder, within the premises of Muzaffarnagar Kotwali police station.

This brazen killing inside a police station led to a bounty of ₹50,000 being declared on his head. He was eventually arrested and convicted in the Goldie murder case, receiving a life sentence alongside Sanjeev Jeeva.

Bail, Threats, and Final Showdown

Pathan was released on bail six months ago, despite his conviction. Soon after, reports emerged that he had resumed issuing death threats to key witnesses involved in ongoing murder trials connected to his past crimes. A fresh attempt to murder and intimidation case was registered against him in Sambhal district, after which he once again went underground.

Acting on intelligence inputs, a STF field unit from Meerut traced him to a hideout near the Chapar police station on July 14. A gunfight ensued, during which Pathan was critically injured. Though he was taken to a hospital, doctors declared him dead on arrival.

Weapons Recovered from the Encounter Site

Following the operation, police recovered a significant cache of illegal arms and ammunition, indicating the gangster’s readiness for confrontation. The seized items included:

• One .30 bore Beretta pistol
• One .32 bore revolver
• One country-made 9 mm pistol
• 46 live .30 bore cartridges
• 10 live .32 bore cartridges
• 7 live 9 mm cartridges
• 6 empty .32 bore shells
• One white Brezza SUV without number plates

Police said the vehicle and weapons suggest that Pathan was preparing for another major crime or attack.

Crackdown on Gang Networks in Western UP

Senior police officials described Pathan’s death as a significant blow to the lingering influence of Mukhtar Ansari and Sanjeev Jeeva’s criminal empire in western Uttar Pradesh. The network, once deeply entrenched in districts like Muzaffarnagar, Haridwar, and Sambhal, is now being systematically dismantled through targeted operations.

“This encounter is a message to all criminals and gang members who threaten law and order. No one is above the law,” said a senior STF official.

Pathan’s elimination comes in the backdrop of Uttar Pradesh’s continued crackdown on organized crime, especially gangs affiliated with high-profile dons like Mukhtar Ansari, whose influence once reached across multiple districts and states.