Paschim Vihar turns war zone, cop, two others killed in driveby attack My husband was a sitting duck, says wife of slain officer

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.

day assistant subinspector Vijay Kumar was assigned as the personal security officer (PSO) to Bhupender alias Monu, his family knew that he had become a ‘sitting duck’.

Kumar, they said, was put in a position where he had to take orders from a man with a criminal history.

“Monu usually ventured out of his home late at night, despite knowing he was most vulnerable to attack in those hours. My husband had no option but to accompany him,” said Vijay’s wife, Sunil.

She said she often asked Vijay to seek another posting, but he refused. “Vijay said that someone or the other had to do this job (of a PSO) and since he was tasked with it, he will do it,” said Sunil.

Vijay, however, admitted that there were grave risks involved.

“Given the risk PSOs are exposed to, the force should have at least have provided them with bullet-proof jackets. They should be given a separate vehicle to prevent them from becoming the first targets of assailants,” she said.

On Sunday, Vijay had left for duty at 8am. “He had called me around 10pm to say he would return home early the next morning. Instead of him, I received a call about his death in the morning,” said Sunil.

According to police, Vijay had pulled out his service revolver as soon as he heard the gunshots. “He did not hide. He opened the car’s door, but was shot dead before he could open fire,” said MN Tiwari, DCP (outer).

The murder of two of their colleagues has left many in the police department crestfallen and angry. They alleged that men working as PSOs often forced to violate rules. “Most PSOs are bullied by people they are supposed to protect. It is worse for people guarding criminals. These men treat their PSOs as servants and as a show of strength,” said a senior police officer. Anil Baijal, who chaired a review meeting to discuss air pollution in Delhi on Monday, has stressed on incentives for recycled products.

In the meeting attended by different government agencies, the three municipal corporations said they were already working on solid waste management and bids have been invited for wasteto-energy plants and construction & demolition plants to enable the processing of solid waste generated in Delhi. “Baijal asked the agencies for a system to be put in place for incentivisation of the use of end products of recycled waste,” an official said.

At least 9,100 tonnes of daily garbage is generated in the city. After sending 4,500 tonnes to waste-to-energy plants for incineration and 850 tonnes for composting, at least 3,800 tonnes still makes its way to the city’s already, full landfill sites .

The meeting is part of regular meets under the L-G to take action to implement short and long term solutions to improving air quality in the city.

“The NDMC chairman informed that six mechanical sweeping machines will be in place by May 2017. Similarly, North corporation vouched for six such machines, South promised demonstration of 30 small mechanical while east civic body said they will get four of these by June 15,” a release from the L-G office stated. HTC

SHOOTING Car in which victims were travelling found with 14 bullet holes, prime suspect Sonu missing, police probe if murders was related to ‘honour killing’ or property dispute