Deputy Superintendent of Police Varun Mishra stated that four suspects were arrested during an investigation into the disappearance of a minor. “A 14-15-year-old boy had gone missing a few days ago and was being searched for. The investigation revealed that a gang involved in child trafficking is active, and the incident was carried out by them. Four accused have been arrested. A 17-year-old child was rescued from their possession. These people would try to find children of all kinds. All four are residents of different districts,” he said. Further inquiries are ongoing.

Separately, on Wednesday, two individuals accused of kidnapping a one-and-a-half-year-old child sustained injuries in an encounter with police in the Hulasi Phatak area of Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, officials confirmed. The child was rescued and returned to their family.

The accused, identified as Yogesh and Pawan, were intercepted after police received information about the abduction from Manauna village, according to South Superintendent of Police Anshika Verma. A case was registered under relevant legal provisions, and five police teams were formed to locate the missing child.

“On May 24, 2026, information was received regarding the abduction of a one-and-a-half-year-old child from the village of Manauna, located within the jurisdiction of the Aonla Police Station. Based on this, a case was registered under the relevant sections of the law. In furtherance of the investigation, five police teams were constituted. These teams utilised CCTV footage, surveillance, and other technical inputs to pursue the case,” she said.

SP Verma added that police received intelligence that the accused were attempting to transport the child for sale. Upon interception, the suspects tried to flee and opened fire on officials. Both individuals were wounded by gunfire during the police response.

Two country-made pistols and live cartridges were recovered from the suspects, SP Verma stated.