New Delhi, June 23 (IANS) In a scene straight out of a Bollywood crime thriller, the main accused in the murder of Rashid, a drinking water supplier who was shot dead in northeast Delhi’s Dayalpur area earlier this week, was arrested following a major gunfight with the police near Khajuri Khas Signature Bridge on Tuesday. Police said a total of 14 rounds were exchanged during the operation.

According to police, Haroon, a key member of the Haroon gang and the prime suspect in the murder case, was apprehended by a team of the Northeast Delhi District Special Staff after a brief but intense encounter and a total of 14 rounds were exchanged during the operation.

Acting on specific Intelligence about Haroon’s movements in the area, police laid a trap near Signature Bridge. When officers attempted to intercept him and asked him to surrender, the accused allegedly opened fire on the police team.

The officers retaliated in self-defence, leading to an exchange of fire. During the encounter, one bullet struck a policeman’s bulletproof jacket, preventing a potentially serious injury.

Haroon sustained a gunshot wound to his leg and was overpowered by the police. He was subsequently taken into custody and shifted for medical treatment. Crime Team and Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) officials later reached the spot to collect evidence and examine the scene.

Rashid was shot dead inside his shop in Dayalpur by three armed assailants. According to Special Commissioner of Police (Crime) HGS Dhaliwal, Rashid was allegedly associated with gangster Naseem Durrani and his criminal network. Preliminary investigations and local Intelligence suggested that the killing stemmed from a long-standing rivalry between the Durrani and Haroon gangs.

Earlier in the investigation, Dayalpur Police had arrested two accused allegedly involved in the murder based on technical surveillance and other evidence. Separately, the Crime Branch also apprehended two juveniles suspected to be shooters linked to the Anwar Thakur-Haroon gang. Following the murder, a special team led by Inspectors Man Singh and Sunder Gautam was formed to track down the assailants.

–IANS

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