A constable sustained bullet injuries in more than two-hour gunbattle between police and a gang of robbers in Ghaziabad on Thursday that was telecast live by some TV channels. However, police succeeded in arresting three robbers and recovered looted amount worth Rs25 lakh from their possession. Also, two pistols, one of 9MM while other one of .32 calibre, and a swift car used in the crime, were recovered.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dharmendra Yadav led the encounter that started when Modi Nagar police received a wireless message around 11 am on Thursday that criminals had looted cash from a cattle trader in Kharkhauda area of neighbouring Meerut district and had escaped in a Swift car bearing registration number Dl-1- CB- 7791.
DIG Ashutosh Kumar said, “The accused allegedly robbed the businessman in Meerut before escaping in a Maruti Swift car to Ghaziabad, about 45 km away.”
Swinging into action, the Kharkhoda police flashed a wireless message and alerted the Modi Nagar police which gave the thieves a chase. Around dozen policemen chased the robbers on their bikes. The gang opened fire on police, the DIG said.
The gang fled towards Niwari where they hid in a sugarcane field at Nangla Moosa Village, said the DIG.
“Police also opened fire in retaliation in which three of the assailants were injured, and later nabbed, while the fourth accused managed to flee,” Kumar said.
Earlier, two police constables, who were patrolling in Nangla Musa village, noticed that a Swift was being driven at breakneck speed and was passing through the service road of Uppar Ganges Canal. They tried to stop it but instead of complying with the police instructions, the criminals fled to a sugarcane field. The constables also took the position and simultaneously informed the higher officials.
After receiving the SOS from the constables, SSP Ghaziabad, SP City and Circle Officer Modi Nagar rushed to the spot and exchange of firing took place. During which a constable Anil sustained two bullet injuries and was rushed to a local Naveen Hospital.
The criminals — identified as Vikky Jaat, Pradeep both from Baghpat and Akshya Tyagi of Muradnagar — confessed that they had robbed a cattle trader in Kharkhauda area. The DIG said the police are investigating further and trying to nab the fourth accused.
“With their arrest, now police are trying to crack other cases of robbery. The crime history of the criminals is being screened. The IG and the DIG Meerut have appreciated the work” said Brijesh Sharma Inspector Modi Nagar.