Kollam (Kerala), March 14 An accused in a murder case, who had been released on bail, was killed in broad daylight on Saturday by a group armed with weapons, police said.
Later in the day, four people, two of whom allegedly carried out the attack, were arrested, police said, adding that a search was underway for the others involved in the incident, which occurred around 11 am.
A senior police officer of the district told reporters that immediately after the incident, all inter-state and district borders were alerted and sealed, and instructions were given to keep a watch for the attackers.
"There will be a thorough investigation in this matter. Such acts of violence will not be tolerated. There will be no compromise in such matters. We have also seized the vehicle used in the attack and other materials. We will soon catch the rest of them," the officer said.
The officer also said that a special team was formed to investigate the matter soon after the incident.
Earlier in the day, an officer of the Karunagappally police station said that the incident occurred after the accused, who was also a known gangster, was returning from the police station.
According to visuals of the incident aired on TV channels, the attackers were chasing the car of the accused -- Aluva Atul -- in their own vehicle on National Highway 66 near Karunagappally. At one point, they pushed his car into a ditch on the roadside.
Subsequently, 4-5 people, armed with sticks and other sharp weapons, smashed the windows of Atul's car from all sides and then pulled him out and brutally killed him. After that, they left the area in their vehicle.
Police said that Atul was declared dead when taken to the hospital, and they were investigating who was behind the attack.