Faridabad, Feb 3 (PTI): In a late-night encounter near Lalwa village in Palwal district, two wanted criminals associated with the Neeraj Pandit gang were shot dead by the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) team, police confirmed on Monday. The deceased, identified as Zorawar (27) and Neeraj (30), both residents of Rewari district, were carrying a bounty of ₹1 lakh each on their heads.
According to police, the duo had been on the run following a deadly attack in Maheshpur village on January 19, in which two people, including a sarpanch, were shot. The assailants had managed to flee the scene in a car, prompting an intense manhunt.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Palwal, Chandra Mohan, lauded the efforts of the CIA team, emphasizing that criminals have no place in the district. "They must either abandon crime or leave the district," he asserted.
The encounter occurred around 11 PM on Sunday on the Palwal-Nuh road when a CIA team, led by Inspector Deepak Gulia, set up a barricade after receiving intelligence about the criminals’ presence in the area. When police signaled their car to stop, the suspects opened fire, hitting the bulletproof jackets of three policemen, who narrowly escaped unhurt.
In retaliation, the police team issued a warning before engaging in self-defense fire, injuring both suspects. They were immediately rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared them dead.
During the operation, police recovered two country-made pistols, three live cartridges, and the vehicle used in the January 19 crime.
Palwal DSP (Crime) Manoj Verma confirmed that the slain criminals had a long history of involvement in serious offenses, including murder and violent attacks. "Both were convicted in a murder case and were key members of the Neeraj Pandit gang. Our team is conducting continuous raids to apprehend other absconding gang members," he added.
The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem at the civil hospital. Police continue their investigation into the case.
According to police, the duo had been on the run following a deadly attack in Maheshpur village on January 19, in which two people, including a sarpanch, were shot. The assailants had managed to flee the scene in a car, prompting an intense manhunt.
Superintendent of Police (SP) Palwal, Chandra Mohan, lauded the efforts of the CIA team, emphasizing that criminals have no place in the district. "They must either abandon crime or leave the district," he asserted.
The encounter occurred around 11 PM on Sunday on the Palwal-Nuh road when a CIA team, led by Inspector Deepak Gulia, set up a barricade after receiving intelligence about the criminals’ presence in the area. When police signaled their car to stop, the suspects opened fire, hitting the bulletproof jackets of three policemen, who narrowly escaped unhurt.
In retaliation, the police team issued a warning before engaging in self-defense fire, injuring both suspects. They were immediately rushed to the hospital, where doctors declared them dead.
During the operation, police recovered two country-made pistols, three live cartridges, and the vehicle used in the January 19 crime.
Palwal DSP (Crime) Manoj Verma confirmed that the slain criminals had a long history of involvement in serious offenses, including murder and violent attacks. "Both were convicted in a murder case and were key members of the Neeraj Pandit gang. Our team is conducting continuous raids to apprehend other absconding gang members," he added.
The bodies of the deceased have been sent for post-mortem at the civil hospital. Police continue their investigation into the case.
