Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh: In a major breakthrough in the sensational murder of 17-year-old Surya Pratap Chauhan, the principal accused, Asad, was killed in a police encounter during a late-night operation conducted by a joint team of Khoda and Indirapuram police. The encounter took place in the early hours of Sunday after the accused allegedly opened fire while attempting to evade arrest.

According to police officials, Asad had been absconding since May 28, when he allegedly stabbed Surya Pratap Chauhan to death following an argument during Bakrid celebrations. The brutal killing had sparked outrage in the local community and triggered an intensive manhunt across multiple locations.

Investigators said that acting on specific intelligence inputs regarding Asad's whereabouts, a joint police team launched a search operation. During the operation, the accused allegedly fired at police personnel, prompting retaliatory action. He sustained serious injuries in the exchange of fire and was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

In a significant development, police have also arrested three individuals accused of aiding the crime and helping the main suspect evade law enforcement. Among those arrested is Asad's father, who is alleged to have played a role in sheltering and assisting his son after the murder.

The other two accused are believed to be associates who were involved either in the attack or in facilitating the suspect's escape following the incident. Authorities are currently interrogating the arrested individuals to establish the full sequence of events and identify any additional persons linked to the crime.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the fatal attack stemmed from an argument between the victim and the accused. The dispute reportedly escalated rapidly, culminating in Asad allegedly attacking Surya Pratap Chauhan with a knife. The teenager succumbed to his injuries, leaving family members and residents shocked by the violence.

Police officials stated that multiple teams were formed immediately after the murder, and extensive efforts were undertaken to trace the accused. Surveillance footage, technical evidence, and local intelligence reportedly played a crucial role in tracking the suspect.

Senior police officers have confirmed that further investigation is underway to determine the exact involvement of each accused and whether a wider conspiracy existed behind the crime. Authorities have assured that all those responsible for the teenager's death will be brought to justice.

The killing of Surya Pratap Chauhan had drawn widespread attention across Ghaziabad, with residents demanding swift action against the perpetrators. The encounter and subsequent arrests mark a significant development in a case that has remained under close public scrutiny since the tragic incident occurred.