We were armed and ready to take them down: Police

TEAMS HAD COME ARMED WITH AK47, MP5 AND GLOCK PISTOLS.

ALL THE 30 MEN DEPLOYED WERE ARMED

NEWDELHI: The four minute shootout that ended with the deaths of four wanted gangsters was a result of a 12-hour operation by Delhi Police’s special cell.

An officer, who was a part of the operation, said they had come prepared knowing the gang leader Rajesh Bharti’s history of firing at police. More than 30 police personnel were deployed at the spot, with each gangster being covered by at elast three cops.

“We prepared a map of the area for the 30-member squad. Since Bharti’s gang is known to be fearless, our teams had come armed with AK-47, MP5 and Glock pistols. All the 30 men were armed,” said an official.

The official said that Bharti and his men were cornered at a street with 8-9 feet high wall on both sides of the road, to reduce their chances of an escape. At least 17 policemen, wearing bulletproof jackets, were the first to intercept Bharti and were fired upon, the officer said.

The entire action unfolded at Chandanhola village for about 12 minutes. Two police bikes followed Bharti’s three cars as they emerged from a farmhouse. The policemen signalled to the waiting team as soon as they confirmed that Bharti was in one of the cars.

“Six police cars intercepted the vehicles of the accused and asked them to surrender. As they attempted to reverse their vehicles, our officers got down to nab them. Seeing this they opened fire. The intercepting police team immediately took position to return fire, while the other team crouched on the ground so that no one was injured in the crossfire,” said another officer, who did not wish to be named.

At least 150 rounds were fired. Police recovered five sophisticated pistols and a suitcase containing ₹2 lakh cash. Delhi police commissioner Amulya Patnaik said the operation was executed with “adequate preparedness”. “The team did a commendable job and the operation was executed successfully. Adequate preparations were made so that there was no scope for any laxity. Six of our men sustained bullet injuries and I hope they recover soon. We are in constant touch with their families,” Patnaik said

Meanwhile, police are also probing the role of Bharti’s gang members in connection with the attack on a city-based surgeon, Hans U Nagar. Nagar was shot on April 29 but survived the attack after he fired back in self defence.