Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh major police operation in Greater Noida has ended with the death of a man accused in the murder of a six-year-old girl, after police said he opened fire at officers during an attempt to recover a weapon linked to the crime.

The incident occurred in the Ecotech-3 police station area, shortly after investigators had traced the suspect through CCTV footage and other leads. A police head constable was injured during the exchange of fire, while the accused, identified by officials as Balraj, was critically wounded and later declared dead at a hospital.

Six-Year-Old Girl Reported Missing

The case began when the six-year-old child went missing from the Haldoni area of Greater Noida on August 28.

Her family reported her disappearance to police, prompting an immediate search operation. Police formed several teams and began examining CCTV recordings from the surrounding neighbourhood.

Investigators subsequently identified Balraj as a suspect. According to police, CCTV footage and other information helped investigators establish his movements before and after the child disappeared.

Child’s Body Recovered

During the investigation, police recovered the girl’s body from an area near a pond. Officials said it had been placed inside a sack.

The discovery intensified public anger in the area and prompted investigators to accelerate efforts to establish what had happened.

Police have said that the child was sexually assaulted and murdered, but the investigation and forensic process remain important for establishing the complete circumstances of the crime. Reports indicate that a post-mortem examination was conducted by a medical panel.

CCTV Footage Became a Key Lead

Investigators relied heavily on CCTV footage from the area.

According to police accounts, recordings helped investigators track the child’s movements and identify the suspected accused. Other footage reportedly showed a man carrying a sack after the child had disappeared.

The recordings provided investigators with an important line of inquiry and helped narrow the search for the suspect.

Police also used other investigative inputs and surveillance information while attempting to reconstruct the sequence of events.

Suspect Taken to Recover Weapon

After being taken into custody, Balraj allegedly told investigators that a weapon connected with the crime had been hidden near a police outpost.

Police subsequently took him to the location to recover the weapon.

According to the police account, the suspect had access to another firearm and suddenly opened fire on the police team. A head constable was struck by a bullet and sustained injuries.

Police Say Firing Was in Self-Defence

Police officials said officers responded to the alleged gunfire in self-defence.

Balraj was injured during the exchange and was taken to a hospital along with the wounded police officer. Doctors later declared the accused dead during treatment, while the injured policeman continued receiving medical care.

Officials said a firearm and ammunition were recovered from the scene.

The exact sequence of the encounter and the circumstances surrounding the use of force will remain subject to the applicable legal and investigative processes.

Investigation Into the Original Crime Continues

Although the death of the accused has brought a dramatic turn to the case, investigators still face the task of establishing the complete circumstances surrounding the child’s death.

Authorities are examining available evidence, including CCTV recordings, forensic material, witness information and the post-mortem findings.

The investigation is also expected to establish whether anyone else played a role in the incident.

Questions Around the Alleged Sexual Assault

The child’s family has alleged that she was sexually assaulted before being killed.

Police have also described the case as involving rape and murder. However, forensic examination is an important part of determining the precise nature of the injuries and establishing the circumstances surrounding the alleged sexual assault.

Authorities have said that the relevant legal provisions, including provisions of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, have been invoked in the case.

Political Reaction

The incident has also triggered a political response in Uttar Pradesh.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav criticised the state government’s law-and-order situation following the death of the child. He described the case as deeply disturbing and questioned whether criminals continued to fear the law.

His comments have added a political dimension to a case that has already generated strong public emotions.

Security and Public Anger

The incident has caused significant concern among residents in the Greater Noida area, particularly because the victim was a young child.

The case has once again highlighted the importance of rapid missing-child investigations, neighbourhood surveillance and effective coordination between police teams.

For investigators, CCTV technology proved particularly important in tracing the suspected movements of the accused and reconstructing the events surrounding the disappearance.

What Happens Next

Police are expected to continue examining the evidence gathered during the investigation. The post-mortem findings, forensic evidence and CCTV material will be important in establishing the complete chronology of events.

Authorities will also have to document the circumstances of the police encounter, including the alleged firing by the accused and the response by officers.

The injured head constable remains under medical treatment, according to officials.

A Case That Has Shocked Greater Noida

The death of a six-year-old girl has left her family and local community deeply distressed, while the subsequent police encounter has added another major development to an already serious criminal investigation.

For now, police maintain that the accused opened fire first and that officers responded to protect themselves. That account will form part of the official investigation into the encounter.

Meanwhile, investigators continue to work on the broader case to establish all the facts surrounding the child’s disappearance, death and the events that followed.

The Greater Noida case remains under investigation, with authorities focusing on forensic evidence, the circumstances of the child’s death and the sequence of events that led to the fatal police encounter.