Eight policemen, including a Deputy Superintendent, were killed and seven injured in Uttar Pradesh when a group of assailants fired at the police team that had gone there to arrest an accused late on Thursday.

The incident took place on the intervening might of July 2 and 3 in Bikru village under Chaubeypur area of Kanpur, police said on Friday.

Two accused, who allegedly shot at the police team, were shot dead in an encounter during a combing operation, said Mohit Agarwal, IG Kanpur. Two policemen were injured in the encounter, he said.

The officer also said that two weapons, including one looted from the police, have been recovered from the accused.

Three other accused persons managed to escape, Mr. Agarwal said, adding that those killed were being identified.

Uttar Pradesh DGP H.C. Awasthi said eight policemen died while seven others were injured when the assailants opened fire at the police team when they reached the village. The main accused has been identified as Vikas Dube, a history-sheeter with 60 cases against him. The police team had gone to arrest Dube after a person had, 24 hours prior to the incident, lodged a case under Section 307 (attempt to murder) against him, said Mr. Awasthi.

The accused used a JCB to obstruct the police vehicles at the village, said the officer. “When the force got off, they opened fire. We also retaliated with firing. But since they were standing at a height in the dark, our men got shot...” said the DGP.

The accused escaped taking advantage of the dark and an operation was on to nab them, said Mr. Awasthi.

The U.P. police have deployed the Special Task Force in the operation even as senior police officers have been rushed to Kanpur from Lucknow.

The deceased were identified as DSP Devendra Mishra, shown as posted as Circle Officer, Bilhaur, Sub-Inspectors Mahesh Chandra Yadav, Anoop Kumar Singh and Nebu Lal, and Constables Jitendra, Sultan Singh, Bablu Kumar and Rahul Kumar.

Police have launched a multi-district combing operation against the accused, said a senior officer.

ADG Law and Order Prashant Kumar said five policemen, a home guard and a civilian were injured.

Some of the police weapons were also missing. “We are verifying the weapons carried by the police officers and jawans,” said Mr. Kumar, who reached the spot.

Asked if there were any lapses from the police team that went to arrest Dube, Mr. Kumar said a team of three police stations under a Circle Officer had gone well prepared. “We will also probe if there were any lapses,” he said.