A man accused of stabbing his female colleague at a diagnostic centre in Khurja was injured in a police encounter in Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr district on Sunday, after he allegedly opened fire at a police team during an operation to recover the weapon used in the assault, police said.

According to Khurja Circle Officer Anil Shahi, the accused, identified as Asad, allegedly attacked his female colleague with a knife on Saturday afternoon, leaving her injured. The woman was rushed to a hospital for treatment. Police said a case was registered at the Khurja Nagar police station under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the SC/ST Act.

Asad, identified in local reporting as the son of Tahir and a resident of the Lakhavati Mirzapur area, was arrested after the attack. During the investigation, police took him to a spot near Jhamka Bamba that he had pointed out, to recover the knife allegedly used in the stabbing.

Police said that at the spot, Asad allegedly retrieved a concealed country-made pistol (tamancha) and opened fire at the police personnel while trying to escape. In retaliatory firing, he sustained bullet injuries in both legs, Circle Officer Shahi said. He was taken to a hospital for treatment.

Police said a country-made pistol, an empty cartridge and the knife allegedly used in the initial attack were recovered from the accused. An FIR has been registered and further legal proceedings are underway, Shahi said.

The allegations against Asad are yet to be established in court. Police said the investigation into the stabbing and the encounter is continuing.