New Delhi, Oct 22 Delhi Police apprehended two criminals from North-East Delhi's Jyoti Nagar area early on Saturday morning after a brief exchange of fire.
The accused have been identified as Shakti alias Sonu (36), a resident of Jawala Nagar, and Sachin (24), a resident of Ashok Nagar.
Shakti was involved in 18 criminal cases, including for attempt to murder, robbery etc., registered across the city. He was also declared a 'bad character' by the Mansarover Park police station. He had even attacked a police officer posted at Jagatpuri police station.
The police said that Shakti was also wanted in two cases, including a culpable homicide case registered in Jyoti Nagar police station. Sachin was also previously involved in four criminal cases.
According to Sanjay Kumar Sain, DCP, North-East, in the wee hours of Friday, two armed robberies were reported from the Ashok Nagar area. Assessing the severity of such incidents during the festive season, the operations wing of North-East district was roped in along with the Jyoti Nagar police station team to solve the cases on priority.
"CCTV footage revealed the images of the suspected bad characters of Jyoti Nagar police station having resemblance with the details provided by the victims," said the DCP.
"At about 2 am on Saturday, the police team present near the Loni roundabout noticed two suspected persons on a bike," said the officer.
"Seeing the police, the suspects tried to flee but their bike skidded. The police team then blocked their way with a police van. Finding themselves blocked, the pillion rider whipped out a pistol and fired two shots at the police team," said the DCP, adding that one bullet hit the police Gypsy.
In retaliation, the cops also fired two rounds and one of the bullets hit in the leg of one of the criminals identified as Shakti.
"The injured was immediately shifted to the GTB Hospital. A case under Sections 186/353/307/34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and 25/27 of the Arms Act has been registered at the Jyoti Nagar police station," said the DCP.
"On interrogation, they confessed to their involvement in both the robberies and other criminal cases. The duo also told the police that they were well acquainted with the topography of the area and used to target vegetable vendors and milk suppliers, who are out on the road in the wee hours of the day," said the officer.
One semi-automatic pistol along with two live rounds, one country-made pistol, two empty cartridges and one bike without number plate were recovered from the spot, the police said.
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