Lucknow, Feb. 4 -- A wanted contract killer carrying a reward of Rs.1 lakh was killed in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) in Varanasi on Tuesday, police said. The accused, identified as Banarasi Yadav, was allegedly involved in the murder of coloniser Mahendra Gautam under Sarnath police station limits of Varanasi. He had more than two dozen serious criminal cases registered against him, officials said. According to additional director general (law and order) Amitabh Yash, the STF intercepted Yadav near Bariyasanpur Ring Road under Chaubepur police station limits in Varanasi district. "When the STF team attempted to stop him, he opened fire in an attempt to escape. The team retaliated in self-defence, during which the accused sustained bullet injuries," Yash said. Police recovered two pistols and a large quantity of cartridges from the spot, he added. Yadav was rushed to a nearby hospital after the exchange of fire, where doctors later declared him dead. Senior police officials said further legal formalities were being carried out, and a detailed report of the encounter would be prepared as per protocol....