At least four criminals were killed, and one STF inspector was injured during an encounter between Uttar Pradesh's Special Task Force (STF) and the miscreants early on Tuesday morning, according to the police. The shootout took place in the Jhinjhana area of Shamli district.

The STF inspector was also shot multiple times during an exchange of fire in the Jhinjhina area of ​​Shamli district on Monday and Tuesday night, a senior police official said.

The miscreants have been identified as Arshad, Manjeet, Satish, and one unidentified accomplice, all of whom were members of the notorious 'Mustafa Kagga’ gang. Arshad, one of the gang members, was wanted in a robbery case at Behat police station in Saharanpur district. A reward of Rs 1 lakh had been announced for his capture. Arshad had a long history of criminal activity, with multiple cases of robbery, dacoity and murder filed against him.

"On the intervening night of January 20-21, Mustafa Kagga gang member Arshad, along with three others -- Manjeet, Satish and one unknown accomplice -- were injured in a police engagement with STF Meerut team. They have succumbed to injuries during the encounter," UP STF, Law and Order, Additional Director General of Police, Amitabh Yash, said.

"Arshad was wanted in a robbery case from Police Station Behat, Saharanpur. A reward of Rs one lakh was declared on him by the ADG of Meerut Zone. A dozen cases of robbery, dacoity and murder were registered against Arshad," he further said.

During the encounter, Inspector Sunil, who was leading the STF team, sustained multiple gunshot injuries and is currently receiving medical treatment. He has been referred to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, Haryana. "The bodies of the miscreants have been kept in the mortuary," stated SP Shamli, Ram Sewak Gautam.

The police mentioned that further legal proceedings are ongoing in the case. The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF), a specialised division of the state police, is responsible for handling organised crime and criminal activities.