Shootout: two rowdies, two constables injured

Two rowdies, who reportedly had several criminal cases pending against them in different police stations, were shot at and injured in an encounter at Ashraya Colony near Ranoji Peer Dargah on the outskirts of Kalaburagi early on Thursday morning. Two police constables were injured when the accused attacked them.

Superintendent of Police N. Shashikumar, who visited the hospital, said that Azim Khan and Shekar were wanted in extortion and several murder and attempt to murder cases. The Kalaburagi police arrested them on Thursday morning. Sub-Inspector Waheed Kotal was forced to open fire as both the accused attacked the police personnel with weapons. Constables Bande Nawaz of R.G. Nagar and Bhimanaik of Bramhpur police station were injured.

Azim Khan and Shekar were said to be associates of gangster Satish Reddy. Azim was wanted in 8 cases and Shekar in 7.

The injured constables were shifted to a private hospital and the accused were getting treatment at the district government general hospital.

On Wednesday night, both the accused waylaid motorcyclists and tried to extort money on the outskirts of the city, Mr. Kumar said.