As many as 11 notorious criminals, including five carrying a reward of Rs 50,000 each on their head, were arrested by Crime Investigation Agency of Haryana Police after an encounter in Bahalgarh area of district Sonipat.

Huge quantity of illegal weapons and Rs 10.23 lakh cash was also recovered from them, said a spokesman of Police Department.

One policeman and two criminals were also injured in the incident and were admitted to Khanpur hospital for treatment.

The spokesman said that all accused were involved in about three dozen criminal cases under charges of murder, attempt to murder, loot, decoity and ransom.

Giving details, he said that arrested accused were identified as Krishan alias Gatha, Pawan alias Pona, Nitu alias Sita, Dinesh alias Pahalwan, Mahipal alias Malha, Ravinder alias Bori, Amit alias Mota, Pramod alias Pammi, Sunil Punia, Ravinder alias Golu and Pawan.  A carbine, one pistol 32 bore, one modern rifle double magazine, one doga gun, one pistol 9 mm, one revolver, 2 pistol 315 bore, 2 revolver 32 bore, and 82 live cartridges were recovered from them, he said.

A reward of Rs 50,000 each was announced by Sonipat, Rohtak and Delhi Police on the arrest of Krishan alias Gatha, Pawan alias Pona, Nitu alias Sita, Sunil and Mahipal alias Malha, he said.

The spokesman said that police team during patrolling had got information that about one dozen criminals having illegal weapons were plotting to loot passers-by in Bahalgarh area. The team immediately tried to arrest them but criminals opened fire on police.

Acting promptly, police arrested all accused, he said.

All the accused would be taken on police remand by producing them in the court. Futher investigation is under progress, he added.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Police BS Sandhu lauded the Sonepat police for arresting notorious criminals, wanted by Haryana and Delhi Police.