On the night of May 30, a dramatic police operation in Ghaziabad led to the death of Asad, the prime accused in the Bakrid-day killing of 17-year-old student Surya Pratap Chauhan. Ghaziabad Police say Asad had been on the run since Surya was stabbed to death on May 28 and was wanted with a ₹50,000 reward on his head. Acting on intelligence that Asad would meet an associate to collect money before fleeing the city, officers set up a trap on a road in the Khoda–Indirapuram area.

Asad arrived late Saturday night on a motorcycle with another man. When police tried to stop the bike, Asad allegedly opened fire at the officers. In return fire, Asad was shot and critically wounded. He was rushed to hospital but died during treatment. A police constable was also injured but is now stable. Investigators recovered the motorcycle and a country-made pistol at the scene; the man riding with Asad fled and remains at large.

Murder on Bakrid: Surya Chauhan’s Killing

The encounter capped a saga that began on Eid (Bakrid), May 28. Surya Pratap Chauhan, a 17-year-old Class 11 student from Khoda Colony, was stabbed multiple times that afternoon during a dispute in his neighbourhood. Eyewitnesses say Asad and several friends lured Surya to a lane near Sharma Dairy under the pretext of showing him a goat sacrifice. According to a police report, Asad asked Surya whether he had ever seen a goat being slaughtered "halal", and when Surya said no, Asad allegedly replied “Aao dikhate hain” (“Come, we’ll show you”). He and his associates then attacked Surya with knives. Surya ran about 200 metres but collapsed from his wounds and was rushed to a Noida hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on Friday afternoon (May 29).

Local police registered an FIR naming several suspects after Surya’s elder brother filed a complaint. Over the next day, authorities arrested three suspects identified in the attack – including Farhan (Asad’s father) and two others – and launched a manhunt for the remaining accused. In all, police said five people were named in the FIR, of whom three had already been detained by May 30. Surya’s family and Hindu groups demanded harsh punishment. His mother Saroj Chauhan publicly refused to allow her son’s cremation until the killers were caught or killed by police. “I will not allow the last rites of my son to be performed until the police take action against the murderers,” she declared. The standoff lasted hours and a heavy police presence was deployed in the area to prevent unrest.

Police Manhunt and Encounter

On receiving a tip late on May 30, Ghaziabad police intensified the hunt for Asad. DCP Dhawal Jaiswal said officers learned that Asad was planning to come to the Khoda area to collect money from an acquaintance before fleeing the city. Multiple checkpoints and surveillance teams were set up on all exit routes. Around midnight, Asad arrived on a motorcycle with an associate. “The police team tried to stop them, but instead of stopping, they opened fire,” a senior officer told The Economic Times. Officer Dhawal Jaiswal confirmed that Asad “opened fire at the police personnel” when challenged, and the police then fired back in self-defence.

Asad sustained multiple bullet wounds and collapsed. He was taken to hospital in Ghaziabad, but died during treatment. One constable was hit by stray fire and was injured. Police immediately recovered the accused’s bike and a country-made pistol – which they say Asad used to fire at officers. The second man on the motorcycle escaped into nearby fields; police have launched a search to arrest him. The encounter took place in Indirapuram’s Abhay Khand area, under cover of darkness and heavy rain, according to officials.

Aftermath and Ongoing Investigation

News of Asad’s death brought both relief and demands for justice from Surya’s family. Saroj, the victim’s mother, told media she would only be “satisfied after seeing a photo” of Asad to confirm he was killed, and insisted all other perpetrators face similar consequences. In an ANI interview she said “seven people” had attacked her son and demanded strong action against each of them.

Officials noted that, aside from the injured constable, no civilians were hurt in the gunfight. With Asad gone, police are now focused on finding the remaining suspect and completing the probe. Investigators say Asad was the fourth of the accused and the last major fugitive; one other suspect remains on the run. Further investigation is under way into the fatal stabbing and related leads. The family’s demand for swift action has been echoed by state leaders: Uttar Pradesh Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya vowed the killers would “not be spared” and face trial for life.

Surya Pratap Chauhan was cremated on May 30 under tight security, ending a tense week of community protests. Police continue to comb the Khoda area for clues. So far, the case has seen multiple arrests and, ultimately, an encounter killing of the prime suspect. Officials say they will leave no stone unturned to bring all accused to justice as the investigation proceeds.

A Festival Evening That Ended in Bloodshed

Seventeen-year-old Surya Chauhan was a Class 11 student living in Navneet Vihar of Khoda, Ghaziabad. Life had already dealt a harsh blow to the family years earlier after the death of his father, Kaushalendra. Since then, the burden of running the household had fallen on Surya’s elder brother, Yash Chauhan, who worked at Mother Dairy and took care of the family expenses. The family lived a modest life in the crowded locality, where most residents knew each other closely.

According to Surya’s minor friend, the incident unfolded on the day of Bakrid. He recalled that he, Surya, and another friend were walking near their house when Asad, a boy from the same neighborhood, called Surya over. The friend said Asad asked Surya to come near a banana warehouse located in street number 2. When the three boys reached there, Asad allegedly made a disturbing remark. The witness quoted him as saying, “Have you ever seen a goat being slaughtered? Today is Bakrid... come, we'll show you.”

The friend said Surya became uncomfortable after hearing this and decided to leave the spot. However, before he could walk away, the atmosphere suddenly turned hostile. The accused allegedly began verbally abusing Surya. Moments later, Asad and four others reportedly surrounded him and attacked him with knives. According to the eyewitness, Surya was stabbed repeatedly in the stomach.

The minor friend described the scene as terrifying and chaotic. He said the boys started screaming for help as the attackers continued the assault. Surya also shouted loudly and tried to run in an attempt to save himself. But the attackers allegedly chased him through the narrow lanes of the locality.

The witness further stated that the accused continued attacking Surya while running after him. During the chase, Surya collapsed unconscious between street numbers 1 and 2. The screams eventually drew local residents to the area, forcing the attackers to flee from the scene. Soon after, the family members were informed about the attack.

According to the friend, Surya’s elder brother Yash Chauhan reached the spot shortly afterward. With the help of nearby residents, the injured teenager was first rushed to a private hospital. However, doctors there reportedly referred him to a hospital in Noida because of the seriousness of his injuries. Despite medical efforts, Surya died during treatment on Friday afternoon.

Killing Linked to an Old Rivalry

As the investigation progressed, Surya’s friend spoke about an earlier dispute that may have led to the murder. He said the tension between Surya and Asad had started nearly eight months ago during a separate altercation in the neighborhood.

According to him, Asad had been fighting with another boy at that time. Surya intervened in the matter and tried to stop the fight. The friend alleged that Surya rescued the boy from Asad’s grip, which deeply angered Asad. He claimed that after the incident, Asad had threatened Surya, saying, “Why are you interfering? You will have to face the consequences.”

Following Surya’s death, anger spread rapidly across the locality. Family members demanded strict action against all the accused. Their demands included bulldozer action against the homes of the accused as well as a police encounter. Given the growing tension in the area, heavy police deployment was carried out as a precautionary measure.

Police officials stated that CCTV footage and surveillance inputs were being examined to track down the accused persons. Teams were formed to search for those involved in the killing, and officials assured the family that the accused would soon be taken into custody.

During the initial stage of the investigation, DCP Dhaval Jaiswal addressed the media and presented the police’s preliminary findings.

“The preliminary reason that has come to light in this case is that all these people were known to each other. They were all friends. On that day, they had a dispute over riding a bike, during which one youth, in a fit of rage, stabbed the other. The inquest (panchnama) and post-mortem procedures of the body have been completed. The body has been handed over to the family. Further legal action will be taken.”

Hindu Rakshadal Raises Protest

As news of the murder spread, Hindu organizations also entered the scene and protests intensified in the Khoda area. Members of Hindu Rakshadal gathered in support of Surya’s family and demanded severe action against the accused.

Khoda Hindu Rakshadal President Sonu Sharma claimed that Surya was associated with the organization and strongly criticized the incident while addressing protesters.

“Surya Chauhan was a worker of Hindu Rakshadal. If such a massacre happens in Yogi Adityanath's rule, it will not be tolerated at all. We will put up 'migration' boards here. This is not the first incident. Even before this, Jats have migrated from here. Our demand is that those jihadis should be encountered. Their houses should be bulldozed.”

The protest atmosphere remained tense for several hours, with police maintaining a strong presence to prevent any escalation.

Political Reactions After the Murder

The killing also triggered reactions from political leaders across Uttar Pradesh. Former Chief Minister and BSP chief Mayawati expressed grief over the murder and urged authorities to act responsibly.

“The murder of a young man, Surya Chauhan, in Khoda, Ghaziabad, is extremely sad and worrying. To prevent such incidents that are happening daily, the government and administration need to take the right steps. Also, the criminals involved in this incident should be identified and given legal punishment. Along with this, as the election time approaches, such incidents will have widespread negative consequences. The government should be fully vigilant.”

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya also reacted strongly and assured strict action against those responsible for the killing.

“No matter who the killer is, they will not be spared. They will be found. The legal action required to hang those who commit murder will be taken. The government is very serious about law and order. Strict legal action will be taken against those who have committed such a crime.”