A 24-year-old criminal, carrying a reward of Rs 70,000 on his head, was arrested by the two teams of Delhi Police at Southeast Delhi's Okhla Industrial area after an encounter which lasted an hour in the wee hours of Monday. A resident of Uttar Pradesh's Kasganj, Tanweer, alias Munawwar, is charged of committing several robberies and murders. He was also wanted in a case of firing on a police party in Southeast Delhi' Pulprahladpur area.
. DCP (Southeast) Chinmoy Biswal said, "In an early morning encounter, a Delhi Police team arrested Tanweer. In October 2017, Tanweer had committed brutal murders of two members of Nasir gang by shooting them dead in Brahampuri area by chasing them up to their residences. He is a close aid of the Chennu Pehelwan gang and was carrying a reward of Rs 70,000 on his arrest", the DCP said.
Biswal said Tanweer was wanted in a number of cases, including a double murder in Delhi and a case of firing at policemen.
A senior officer said, "At the time of his arrest, police team was surprised to find that Tanweer was wearing a bulletproof jacket, which he disclosed to have procured a year ago from a Meerut-based gangster who was later killed in April 2017. Further investigation has revealed that the bulletproof jacket was provided to the gangster by a former UP Minister."
"Following a tip-off, two teams were formed around 3.30 am. While one waited at the identified spot, the second team tracked the accused's car. Soon as the car was spotted, the driver of the car noticed police vehicle and revved up the vehicle. The staff deployed near Okhla Mandi, meanwhile, blocked the road by putting barricades not allowing the accused to escape," said Biswal.
On this, Inspector Rajender and Sub-Inspector Parvesh Kasana came near the car and challenged Tanweer and his aide to surrender, on which they opened fire on police team, to which police narrowly escaped as bullets hit their bullet proof vests, added Biswal.
"Seeing them trapped, the driver tried to speed away but the police team snatched his pistol and overpowered him. However, his associate managed to open the car's door and escaped while firing at the police. The driver was identified as Munawaar, alias Tanweer, alias Gatta. A loaded pistol was recovered from him," Biswal said, adding that their car had a fake number plate on it and its ownership is being ascertained.