2 criminals held after encounter

The Delhi Police on Thursday arrested two wanted criminals after a brief exchange of fire in the Narela area of north Delhi. During the encounter, the duo sustained gunshot injuries, a senior police officer said.

The accused were identified as Afzal, alias Imran (34), and Chandan, alias Kaku (31), both listed as “bad characters” of the Narela police station.

The Narela police got a tip-off that a wanted accused was roaming in the area on a motorcycle and was armed. After getting information, the police launched a search operation and deployed a special picket near the NIT area, an official said.

During checking, two men riding a motorcycle were signalled to stop. Instead, they opened fire at the police team and tried to flee, the cop said.

In self-defence and retaliation, the police also fired three rounds. The duo suffered gunshot wounds in the legs. During a search, the police recovered two pistols, two mobile phones and the motorcycle used by the accused, the police said, adding that five empty cartridges were also recovered from the spot.

The injured persons were initially admitted to Rao Harish Chandra (RHC) Hospital and later referred to Babu Jagjivan Ram Memorial (BSA) Hospital, the official mentioned.

The police said Chandan is allegedly involved in several criminal cases, including attempt to murder, offences under the Arms Act, robbery and theft, while Afzal is an accused in several cases involving assault on a public servant, robbery, Arms Act violations, eve-teasing-cum-POCSO offences and theft.

The police said a fresh case was being registered against the accused and further investigation was underway.