Araria: A criminal, who was wanted in several murder cases and carrying a bounty of Rs 3 lakh on his head, was killed in a police encounter in Bihar's Araria district on Saturday, an officer said.

Four policemen were also injured in the encounter that took place around 4 am on Saturday in Narpatganj area, Additional Director General of Police-STF Kundan Krishnan said.

The criminal, identified as Chunmun Jha alias Rakesh Jha, had been on the run and was wanted in several cases of jewellery showroom loot in Bhojpur and Purnea districts, the officer said.

He was also wanted in a case of robbery that took place at a branded jewellery showroom in Bhojpur district's Ara on March 10.

Acting on a tip-off, a joint team of STF and the Araria district police reached the spot where Jha along with his associates were hiding, the officer said.

“The Bihar Police's Special Task Force (STF) had been tracking them for several days. They kept on changing their hideouts from Varanasi, Mirzapur, Dehri and Muzaffarpur to Araria. Finally, they were intercepted in Narpatganj area around 4 am on Saturday," the ADG said.

"After noticing the police personnel, Jha tried to escape and fired at the police. The STF team retaliated. Jha was injured in the encounter and one of his accomplices was arrested," Krishnan told PTI.

Jha was immediately taken to the nearest government hospital where he died during treatment, the ADG said.

Four policemen were also injured in the operation, but they were stated to be out of danger, he said.

"Jha was carrying a bounty of Rs 3 lakh on his head and was wanted in several cases of murder, kidnapping, dacoity and jewellery showroom loot," the ADG said, adding that one of Jha's accomplices managed to flee the spot during the operation.

"A man haunt has been launched to nab his associates," the officer added.

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