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The Uttar Pradesh Police has reported that 289 alleged criminals were killed in police encounters across the state over the last nine years, while more than 34,000 people were arrested during anti-crime operations conducted since 2017. According to official figures, police carried out 17,043 encounter operations during this period as part of efforts to tackle organized crime and repeat offenders.


The data shows that 11,834 accused individuals were injured during these encounters. At the same time, 18 police personnel lost their lives and 1,852 officers sustained injuries while carrying out these operations.


Meerut zone recorded the highest number of encounters in the state, with 4,813 operations reported. Police said 97 alleged criminals were killed in the zone, while more than 8,900 people were arrested. Over 3,500 accused and 477 police personnel were injured during these incidents.


Varanasi zone ranked second in encounter operations, with 1,292 reported cases and 29 alleged criminals killed. Agra zone was third, recording 2,494 encounters and 24 deaths linked to police action.


Among commissionerates, Ghaziabad reported the highest number of encounter-related deaths, with 18 alleged criminals killed in 789 operations. Other regions including Lucknow, Prayagraj, Kanpur, Bareilly and Gautam Buddh Nagar also recorded multiple encounter cases over the years.


The state government has described the operations as part of its broader law-and-order strategy targeting organized crime networks, extortion and repeat offenders. However, police encounters in Uttar Pradesh have also drawn scrutiny from human rights groups and legal observers in the past, with concerns raised over accountability and adherence to due process in such operations.