30 March,2011 07:03 AM IST | | Imran Gowhar
In a lightning move, the KG Halli police traced and fired upon a gang of armed robbers getting away with a truck carrying tobacco from the Indian Tobacco Company (ITC), and rescued the driver. KG Halli Police Inspector T Rangappa and two other cops sustained minor injuries when the gang tried to ambush the police party in the wee hours of yesterday morning.
Crime scene: The police have seized the SUV and weapons that the
bandits used in their bid to hijack the truck Pic/Ramesh HS
Rangappa said, "I received a tip-off that the truck going towards K R Puram on the Hebbal Ring road was being followed by an SUV, and that a gang of armed men had hijacked the truck." He added that after informing control room to send backup, he headed towards Hebbal Ring road. "Around 4.20 am, we spotted the vehicles and gave chase. Police Inspector Hanumanthraya from Hebbal police station, who was on night rounds, soon joined him," Rangappa said.
The gang was holding the truck driver at knifepoint and when they realised that the police were in hot pursuit, they stopped and attacked the cops with iron rods and swords. In the melee, three constables identified as Siraj Ahmed, Rudraiah and Bhemmanna sustained injuries. Rangappa sustained injuries to his arm when he was struck with a rod. However, he retaliated by firing two rounds at his attacker.
The gang was overpowered and five assailants were taken into custody, while two others managed to escape. The arrested have been identified as Harsha, Rakesh, Ravi, Anand and Dadiya Ravi. Harsha sustained bullet injuries was rushed to hospital for treatment. He is said to be out of danger now.The police have seized the SUV. "We are questioning the accused to ascertain whether they were involved in other offences," said Rangappa who along with three others have been admitted at Hosmat hospital for treatment.
