Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), April 14 (IANS) At 19, he was like any other young boy of his age -- looking forward to making a career in law.

However, destiny had other plans for him and Asad, the third son of gangster Atiq Ahmad, crossed over to the other side of law, turned into the most wanted criminal in the state with a reward of Rs five lakh on his head and met a bloody end on Thursday -- all within a span of 47 days.

Asad had no criminal record before February 24 this year when he allegedly led a group of assailants in the sensational killing of lawyer Umesh Pal and his two police guards outside his residence in Prayagraj.

According to police records, Asad's elder brother Ali has four cases while the eldest brother Umar has one case against him. His father Atiq has 102 criminal cases registered against him and uncle Khalid Azeem alias Ashraf has 50 FIRs lodged against him.

Asad, considered lazy among all brothers, passed the intermediate (Class 12) examination from a prestigious school in Lucknow last year.

Asad mostly stayed in Lucknow and kept away from his father's business and underworld activities.

Asad wanted to go out of the country for higher studies but his passport verification was rejected following his family's criminal background. Asad was preparing to take admission in an LLB course since then.

His marriage has also been fixed with his aunt Ayesha Noorie's daughter. Noorie is now on the run while her husband Akhlaq is in jail.

If sources are to be believed, a rebuke by his father Atiq, made Asad lead the team that killed Umesh Pal on February 24 in a daring daylight shootout.

Devastated by his son's death, Atiq told jail officials on Thursday night in Prayagraj jail that, "I am responsible for Asad's death."

Ironically, the most loved child of the family will be laid to rest on Friday in the absence of his immediate family members -- most of whom are either in jail or on the run.

Jhansi (Uttar Pradesh), April 13 (IANS) Mohd Asad, son of gangster-turned-politician Atiq Ahmad, along with shooter Ghulam, have been shot dead in an encounter by a team of Special Task Force (STF) in Jhansi.

Both carried a reward of Rs five lakh on their heads.

The STF team led by Deputy SP Navendu and Deputy SP Vimal carried out the encounter at Jhansi. Sophisticated foreign-made weapons have been recovered from the two deceased.

Asad had been caught on camera opening fire at Umesh Pal in Dhoomanganj in Prayagraj on February 24.

The encounter took place on a day when Atiq Ahmad and his brother Ashraf are being produced in court in Prayagraj.

ADG STF Amitabh Yash said that the STF had asked the two to surrender but they opened fire after which the team had to retaliate.

Meanwhile, Atiq Ahmad broke down in court during hearing when informed of his son's encounter.

Jhansi (UP), April 3 (IANS) In a shocking incident, two women have lodged a case at the GRP police station in Jhansi, accusing three Army men of molesting them inside a stationary coach parked at the Jhansi railway station.

Two Army personnel have been arrested while one is absconding.

According to GRP Circle officer Mohd Naeem Ansari, the two victims have alleged that one Army personnel asked them for their mobile phone, claiming that he had lost his phone.

He then indulged in talking to the women and took them to the railway coach parked on platform 7. There were two other Army personnel inside who then raped them and later asked them to leave. They did not return the mobile phone to the victims.

The victims reached the GRP police station and registered a case against jawans Sandeep, Ravindra and Suresh - two of whom have been detained while one is absconding.

GRP officials inspected the railway coach and informed the military police about the incident.