The incident happened when the offenders tried to flee after committing an offence: Police
Hyderabad:Southeast zone DCP S. Chaitanya Kumar opened two rounds of fire, injuring a rowdy-sheeter who attacked him and his gunman, police constable S.V.N. Rao, with a dagger when they tried to stop him from snatching mobile phone. The incident occurred at Victoria Playground under the Chaderghat police limits at about 5.30 pm on Saturday. The suspect, Mohammed Omar Ansari, sustained injuries to his stomach and knee.
City police commissioner V.C. Sajjanar told Deccan Chronicle that the incident occurred when DCP Kumar was returning to his office from the old commissioner’s office at Purani Haveli. The DCP’s gunman noticed two men on a bike attempting to snatch a mobile phone from a pedestrian and trying to flee.
On the DCP’s instructions, the gunman alighted from the vehicle to intercept them. One of the suspects, later identified as Ansari, pulled out a dagger and tried to stab the constable. The DCP intervened to subdue the assailant.
“The DCP and his gunman tried their best to nab Ansari, who was armed and aggressive. When the situation went out of control, the DCP warned the suspect to surrender. As he refused and continued to attack, the DCP fired two rounds in self-defence to protect his gunman and himself,” Sajjanar said.
Ansari was hit once in the knee and once in the stomach before collapsing. His associate managed to escape, Sajjanar added.
DCP Chaitanya and constable Rao suffered internal injuries and were taken to the Malakpet government hospital. Both are reported to be stable. Ansari was taken to a private facility in Banjara Hills. Security has been tightened at both locations. “Both officers sustained injuries but are out of danger and under observation,” said K. Subba Rami Reddy, ACP, Malakpet division.
To prevent any untoward incident, south and southeast zone police have deployed additional forces in sensitive areas. Police have launched a manhunt for Ansari’s accomplice. Ansari, officials said, has a criminal record of over 20 cases, including theft, chain-snatching, extortion and was previously jailed under the PD Act.
“Police will ensure the safety and security of citizens. If anti-social elements resort to extortion, snatching or attack police personnel on duty, they will face dire consequences,” Sajjanar warned. “If criminals attack, the police will retaliate in self-defence.” Following the incident, DCPs Sneha Mehra (south zone) and K. Shilpavali (central zone) visited the scene and later met DCP Chaitanya and constable Rao at the hospital.
The incident comes close on the heels of Sheik Riyaz — who had stabbed Nizamabad constable E. Pramod Kumar to death — being shot dead after attacking police personnel in an escape attempt from a hospital. Riyaz had earlier stabbed a man named Asif, who tried to capture him a day after the constable’s killing.
