New Delhi, May 25 (IANS) A firing-cum-robbery attempt at a government-run liquor shop in the city’s busy market area ended in a near-fatal attack on two staff, as the unidentified miscreants opened fire at the staff and also stabbed another during the attempted robbery.​

Both robbers were apprehended by the cops in a dramatic late-night chase.​

The incident took place in Paharganj, a busy market area in the heart of the capital, last night. The robbers, purportedly armed with guns and knives, attempted to loot the liquor shop, but a timely action by a Delhi Police beat constable thwarted the robbery bid. Also, they were tracked down by the police team in less than twenty hours, after they fired gunshots at the shop staff and fled from the scene.​

The injured liquor shop salesmen were admitted to a nearby hospital, where they are undergoing treatment.​

Preliminary investigation revealed that both accused had entered the shop with the intention to commit robbery. One accused fired four rounds from a firearm, out of which three bullets misfired, while one bullet struck a salesman. The second accused attacked another salesman with a knife, causing stab injuries.​

They managed to rob a wallet belonging to a third salesman containing about ₹1,500 in cash, an Aadhaar Card, a Voter ID Card, and other documents. However, as the shop staff confronted the attackers vigorously, the latter developed cold feet and fled the scene, anticipating more trouble.​

Following the incident, the crime and FSL teams also inspected the crime scene to collect forensic evidence.​

Multiple teams, formed to nab the armed robbers, successfully tracked them down within 24 hours. They launched a daring motorcycle chase in the Sahibabad area and apprehended both accused persons within hours of the incident.​

The CCTV footage of the robbery attempt captured the modus operandi of the suspected robbers. Two suspects were identified from CCTV footage. One suspect was seen wearing an orange Swiggy T-shirt and a helmet, while the second suspect wore a black T-shirt and a helmet.​

The CCTV cameras recorded their movement and saw them fleeing towards the Nabi Karim area. Further scrutiny of the CCTV footage showed that one of the accused had visited the shop earlier that day at about 9:00 PM and purchased two beer bottles via UPI.​

It was this digital payment that became a crucial lead in identifying and tracing the two accused.​

–IANS​

mr/dan