Ghaziabad: The investigation into the murder of 17-year-old student Surya Pratap took a dramatic turn after police killed the main accused, Asad, during an encounter in Ghaziabad's Indirapuram area on Saturday.

The encounter took place in Abhay Khand during a joint operation conducted by teams from Khoda and Indirapuram police stations. During the exchange of fire, one police constable also sustained injuries, officials said.

Asad was the principal accused in the killing of Surya Pratap, a Class 11 student who succumbed to stab injuries after being attacked in Khoda Colony earlier this week.

Police said the teenager was allegedly assaulted on May 28 following a confrontation and died during treatment the next day.

According to investigators, efforts were underway to locate and apprehend all those involved in the case when police received information about Asad's whereabouts.

A joint team launched an operation in Indirapuram's Abhay Khand area, where the accused allegedly opened fire while attempting to evade arrest.

Police retaliated, resulting in Asad sustaining gunshot injuries.

He was taken to hospital but later died, according to officials. A constable injured during the operation is receiving medical treatment.

Surya's mother Saroj said she would feel satisfied only after seeing Asad's body.

She demanded similar action against all those involved, alleging that seven people participated in the attack and calling for their homes to be demolished with bulldozers.

The murder of Surya had triggered widespread outrage in Khoda Colony, with family members, residents and members of several Hindu organisations staging protests and demanding strict action against the accused.

Police investigations have indicated that Surya and Asad knew each other and had a history of disputes. Officials said the two had been involved in a scuffle several months ago but had resumed contact in recent days.

The victim's family, however, alleged that Surya had been called out on the pretext of being shown something related to Bakri Eid rituals before being attacked.

Statements given by friends present at the scene claimed an argument broke out shortly before the stabbing.

Following Surya's death, police registered a case and launched multiple raids. Several juveniles were detained in connection with the incident, while Asad was identified as the main accused.

With the death of the prime suspect in the encounter, investigators are continuing to probe the role of the remaining accused and reconstruct the events that led to the fatal stabbing of the teenager.

Security remains tight in the area as authorities monitor the situation to prevent any further tension or unrest.

What is the case all about?

On May 28, Class 11 student Surya Pratap was allegedly called by neighbour Asad to a spot in Ghaziabad's Khoda Colony.

According to the victim's family and friends, Asad invited him on the pretext of showing him a Bakri Eid-related ritual and asked if he had ever seen a goat being slaughtered.

An argument reportedly followed, during which Surya was abused and attacked. Police said he was stabbed multiple times in the abdomen and rushed to hospital.

He succumbed to his injuries the following day, sparking protests and tension in the locality.