MEERUT, May 3 -- A cattle smuggler was arrested in an encounter under Bhojipura police station limits in Bareilly district on Friday, police said. The encounter took place in a field near Faridapur Jagir village after two suspects surrounded by police opened fire, leading to a brief but intense exchange of gunfire in which two cops were also injured.

According to police, Laik alias Kalia, who was shot in the right leg during the encounter, is a resident of Alinagar village in Bhojipura. He was wanted in several cases of cow slaughter and carried a reward of Rs.25,000 on his head. He was arrested, and a country-made pistol, an empty bullet shell, and four live cartridges were recovered from his possession. Police also seized tools used in...