Shamli (UP), Jan 21 (Reporter) Four criminals were killed and an Inspector was injured during an encounter with the Special Task Force (STF) of the Uttar Pradesh and local police in Jhinjhana area of Shamli district, police sources said on Tuesday. Sources said that on Monday night the Meerut unit of the STF received a tip-off that an active member of the Kagga gang, Arshad, who carried a cash reward of Rs 1,00,000 on his arrest, was going to pass through the Jhijhana area of Shamli district. "The STF team cordoned off the area and attempted to intercept the criminals," they said. When challenged the criminals opened fire on the police team. "During the encounter which ensued for half an hour Arshad and his three aides sustained bullet injuries in retaliatory firing. The injured criminals were taken to the hospital where they were declared dead," they said. Sources said that Arshad's aides included Manjit, Satish, and an unidentified criminal. "STF Inspector Sunil sustained bullet injuries in the encounter and has been admitted to a hospital in Gurugram where his condition is stated to be serious," they said. Sources said that Arshad's activities in Saharanpur and surrounding districts had challenged the police. "Cases were registered against him in Saharanpur, Shamli, Muzaffarnagar, and Panipat in Haryana under various sections including serious crimes like 302 (murder), 395 (robbery), 397 (armed robbery) and the Gangster Act," they said. Police said Manjit was convicted for 20 years in a case and was active in the world of crime after jumping parole. "Efforts are being made to identify the fourth criminal killed in the encounter," they said. The STF officials said the elimination of a dangerous criminal like Arshad is a big success in the direction of maintaining law and order. They said that this encounter is a part of the Uttar Pradesh government's policy of making the state crime-free. With the death of Arshad, the Mustafa Kagga gang has suffered a major setback. The police have now started searching for other wanted criminals...////...