Meerut, Dec 2 (IANS): A police constable and a criminal were killed Tuesday in a gun fight in Uttar Pradesh's Meerut district, police said.

The incident occurred when a police patrolling team noticed a suspected person moving on a motorcycle at 3.00 a.m.

When the policemen asked him to stop, he opened fire at the team which killed one constable on the spot, police said.

Another constable chased the criminal, who was later killed while the constable was injured, police said.

The deceased constable was identified as Ekant Yadav while the injured constable was identified as Lokesh. He has been admitted to a hospital, where his condition is stated to be critical, according to doctors.

The dead criminal was identified as Noora alias Noor Ali, a resident of Meerut. A pistol and a motorcycle have been recovered from his possession, police said.

About 15 crime cases have been registered against him in Meerut and other districts.

"The constables will be rewarded for their bravery. The details would be announced after getting a clearance from Lucknow," Deputy Inspector General Ramit Sharma said.