Cop, 2 others killed in Delhi shootout

NEWDELHI:Three men, including a policeman on duty, were gunned down in a daring attack in outer Delhi’s Paschim Vihar late on Sunday night.

The attack comes a day after an undertrial was gunned down outside Rohini court.

Police said that the assailants used different weapons to fire more than 40 rounds at their targets, leaving the three men dead at the spot.

The Maruti Ciaz car, in which the victims were travelling, was later found at the spot with more than 14 bullet holes. Several bullet marks were also found on shops and shutters around the murder spot.

Investigators said the prime target of the attack appeared to be Bhupender alias Monu, a financer, who had several criminal cases lodged against him.

An assistant sub-inspector, Vijay Kumar, who had been assigned as Monu’s personal security officer, and Monu’s friend Arun were the others killed in the incident.

A police constable, Kuldeep, who was also travelling in the car, escaped with bullet injuries to his hand.

MN Tiwari, DCP (outer), said multiple teams had been formed to identify and nab the killers, after a case was registered at Mianwali police station.

By Monday evening, the case had been transferred to the special cell.

Among other angles being probed, police are trying to determine if Monu’s killing was an ‘honour killing or if gang rivalry and personal enmity over property was involved.

Around 11 pm on Sunday, Monu, his friends Arun and Yogesh, and the two personal security officer, assistant sub-inspector Vijay Kumar and constable Kuldeep, visited National Market in Paschim Vihar.

The incident took place when Monu was sitting in the front seat of the car, with the two policemen sitting in the rear. Yogesh and Arun had allegedly stepped out of the market to buy snacks.

According to eyewitnesses, three men on a motorcycle approached the car and first fired at Arun and Yogesh who were standing near the vehicle, hitting the former.

“On hearing gunshots, the two policemen opened the car door and tried to rush out. However, ASI Vijay was shot as he was getting out. Constable Kuldeep managed to escape,” said the DCP. The men then opened fired at Monu, killing him on the spot, before escaping.