Outnumbered cops battle armed robbers

SURAT, May 16: Five policemen stationed at the Sachin police station -- all below the rank of sub inspector -- displayed exemplary courag...

SURAT, May 16: Five policemen stationed at the Sachin police station 8212; all below the rank of sub inspector 8212; displayed exemplary courage early on Sunday morning while chasing a gang of eight armed robbers who struck at a house after midnight.

Armed only with lathis, the constables chased, intercepted and grappled with the robbers for almost half an hour before two constables were stabbed in the stomach by the gang members, who subsequently fled. Both the injured policemen sustained deep gashes in the abdomen and are being treated at hospitals. They are said to be out of danger.

The masked Hindi-speaking robbers broke open the door of Hemanshu Nayak8217;s house in Jeevan Smruti Society in Sachin at around 3 am. They snatched six gold bangles from the hands of the elder womenfolk in the house before an alarm was raised, and escaped thereafter.

At about this time Sachin PSO Natubhai received a phone call informing him of the loot. He sent D-staff constable Zahheruddin Saiyyed, crime writer Laxman and constables Vijay and Jayanti to the spot.

The four rode their motorcycles to Saatvalla bridge, where they parked these and began walking along the railway line. Speaking to newspersons in the evening, additional commissioner H P Singh said that the four encountered seven of the gangsters on the railway tracks, where they attempted to arrest them.

In the grappling that followed, Zahheruddin and Laxman were stabbed in the abdomen by the gangsters. The gang then mercilessly beat up the other two constables, Vijay and Jayanti, before escaping.

Singh said that Vijay then walked upto Diamond Park and called the police station before returning there. Laxman got himself admitted to the New Civil hospital and Zaheeruddin was brought to the police station and then shifted to the hospital. While Zahherudin was operated in the Mahavir hospital, Laxman received four stitches.

Story continues below this ad

8220;Given the circumstances, these policemen have shown great courage as they were outnumbered and have been recommended for awards,8221; Singh said. Zaheeruddin, it may be mentioned, is a Presidential award winner for meritorious service and has worked in the ATS in the past. Incidentally, there was a rifle in the police station, which they had left behind.

8220;We have already identified the gang and a search has been launched,8221; said Singh.