New Delhi, July 5 (IANS) Two alleged shooters of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, each carrying a reward of Rs one lakh, were killed in an encounter with a joint team of the Haryana Special Task Force (STF) and the Delhi Police Special Cell near the Balaur bypass in Haryana’s Bahadurgarh on Sunday, officials said.

A constable sustained serious injuries during the exchange of fire and was referred to a higher medical centre for treatment, while four other police personnel escaped unhurt after bullets fired by the accused struck their bulletproof jackets.

According to officials, the encounter took place after the police received specific intelligence that the two wanted criminals were planning to execute a major crime in Bahadurgarh.

Acting on the input, teams of the Delhi Police Special Cell and the Bahadurgarh unit of the Haryana STF launched a joint operation and laid a trap near the Balaur bypass. As soon as the suspects spotted the police, they allegedly opened indiscriminate fire, triggering an exchange of gunfire between the two sides.

Officials said around 12 to 13 rounds were fired during the encounter before the two accused were neutralised.

The deceased were identified as Pravesh, a resident of Tibba Danasher in Hisar district, and Himanshu, a resident of Jakhod Khera village in Hisar district. Both were allegedly associated with the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and carried a cash reward of Rs one lakh each.

According to the police, the duo were the main accused in the murder of a gym owner in Hansi last month and had been on the wanted list for several weeks.

During the operation, one police constable suffered serious injuries and was shifted to a higher medical centre after receiving initial treatment. Four other police personnel also came under fire, but their lives were saved as the bullets hit their bulletproof jackets.

Haryana STF Superintendent of Police Vikrant Bhushan confirmed the encounter and said the two deceased were wanted in the Hansi gym owner murder case.

Senior police officers reached the encounter site soon after the operation, and the area was secured for forensic examination and further investigation.

Police officials said a detailed probe into the case is underway. They added that further details regarding the operation, the weapons recovered and the criminal antecedents of the accused are expected to be shared during a press conference scheduled later in the day.

–IANS

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