The truck was intercepted near Shibli river around 5 AM and 30 cattle, including 12 calves were recovered from the vehicle, SP (Rural) Surendra Tiwari said.
He said the driver and three others in the truck managed to escape taking advantage of the darkness.
It is suspected that the animals were being illegally transported to be slaughtered, police said.
A case has been registered against unidentified persons and the animals have been sent to a cow shelter, they said.