A police constable was shot dead by unidentified men in Uttar Pradesh's Agra district when he was on duty, police said on Thursday.

 

The incident took place in Bamrauli Ahir where a police team arrived for a search operation on Wednesday night, acting on a complaint about a large procession taken out by a notorious criminal with weapons being flaunted, police said. 

 

As the police team reached the village, which has a history of violent clashes and murders, it was attacked and policemen were beaten up. Before they could understand the situation, constable Pradip Yadav was shot many times. The policemen who managed to escape admitted Pradip Yadav to a nearby hospital where he died, an official told scribes.

 

Senior police officials have rushed to the village and are trying to nab Lakhan Yadav, the notorious criminal who took out the procession. He was released on bail a few days back. 

 

As soon as Lakhan Yadav, accused of murdering Satish Pradhan, reached the village, his supporters took out the procession carrying guns, officials said.