STF Cracks Down on Atique Ahmed's Network: Close Aide Arrested, ₹50,000 Reward Claimed

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In a significant breakthrough, the Uttar Pradesh Police Special Task Force (STF) has apprehended Afsar Ahmed, a close associate of slain mafia-turned-politician Atique Ahmed, from Delhi's Amar Colony area. Afsar was wanted in connection with a case registered at the Bithri Chainpur police station in Bareilly, where a ₹50,000 reward was announced for his arrest. According to police officials, Afsar was accused of facilitating a clandestine meeting between shooters involved in the murder of advocate Umesh Pal and Atique Ahmed's brother, former MLA Ashraf, who was lodged in Bareilly jail at the time. The case was registered by the Bithri Chainpur police, leading authorities to declare a reward for Afsar's capture. Atique Ahmed and his brother Ashraf were accused in the 2005 murder of BSP MLA Raju Pal, in which Umesh Pal was a key witness. On February 24, 2023, Umesh Pal and his two government gunners were shot dead in broad daylight in Prayagraj. The STF arrested Afsar Ahmed for his alleged role in the conspiracy behind the Umesh Pal murder case. During an unauthorized meeting inside the Bareilly district jail, Ashraf allegedly met nine men, including Guddu Muslim, Ghulam, Asad, Armaan, Vijay Chaudhary alias Usman, and Sadakat Khan. Evidence from CCTV footage and call detail records later confirmed that the blueprint of Umesh Pal's murder was prepared during this meeting. Atique Ahmed and his associates were named as accused in the killing. This development comes after Atique and Ashraf were shot dead by three men posing as journalists while they were being escorted for a medical check-up in Prayagraj on April 15, 2023. The assailants were arrested soon after the incident.