Pankaj Yadav, a notorious contract killer with ties to infamous gangsters-turned-politicians, was shot dead in an encounter with the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) in Mathura on Wednesday morning. The operation took place around 5:20 AM in the Farah police station area, resulting in Yadav sustaining fatal injuries before being declared dead at a nearby hospital. Authorities recovered a .32 bore pistol, a revolver, a two-wheeler, and other incriminating materials from the scene. One of Yadav's accomplices escaped during the encounter, prompting ongoing searches in the vicinity. Yadav, originally from Tahirapur village in Mau district, had over three dozen criminal cases pending against him and a reward of Rs 1 lakh had been placed for information leading to his arrest. The situation remains tense as law enforcement continues its pursuit of the fleeing suspect.