Shootout surprises Thane cops

MUMBAI, SEPT 15: In a bizarre incident at Thane, a woman and her three sons wanted by the police in several cases panicked and forced a s...

MUMBAI, SEPT 15: In a bizarre incident at Thane, a woman and her three sons wanted by the police in several cases panicked and forced a shootout at their Rabodi residence before surrendering in the ensuing exchange of fire. The incident, which led to the arrest of Subrabi Sheikh and her sons Alam and Akram, briefly sparked panic in the neighbourhood as well, when a platoon of the State Reserve Police SRP was requisitioned to tame the belligerant family.

Thane city police had initially arrested Anjum Shaikh, wanted in seven cases of housebreaking and theft on Sunday night following a tip-off that he had sought refuge in Bhiwandi. During interrogation, Anjum had confessed to stashing away booty he had stolen with his mother Subrabi at their residence in Rabodi.

In the wee hours on Monday, police escorted Anjum to his mother8217;s house, where Surabi resided with her two other sons, Alam and Akram. According to Inspector Bhagwan Tarde, who led the police team, Subrabi panicked on seeing Anjum with the police,and raised an alarm which alerted her other sons.

When they were told to surrender, Alam opened fire with a countrymade revolver and Akram attacked them with a sword.

In the ensuing melee, constables T V Surve and S S Dhembre were injured but the frightened Shaikhs refused to surrender. Finding themselves short of personnel, the police requisitioned an SRP platoon, which surrounded the house and opened fire with their powerful muskets. The Shaikhs finally surrendered to the SRP8217;s superior firepower. While Alam has been admitted to the Thane Civil Hospital with a leg injury, all four members of the Shaikh family have been arrested and charged under Sections 353, 332, 333 and 307 of the Indian Penal Code for arson, attempted murder and for obstructing government servants from discharging their duty.

Police have also recovered jewellery and cash worth Rs 13,000 hidden in a music system speaker in the house.

Meanwhile, Abdul Wahab 32, a sharp-shooter and key associate of underworld don Chhota Shakeel,was killed in a separate encounter with the police at Kashimira in Thane district early today.

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A special squad attached to Thane rural police and Kashimira police station laid a trap for Wahab near Neelkalam Hotel adjoining the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Highway. The gangsters appeared at around 12.45 am and were waiting to meet an associate. Wahab was injured in the following exchange of fire but was declared dead before admission to hospital.

According to Superintendant of Police Thane Rural Param Bir Singh, Wahab was wanted in at least three murder cases besides others relating to extortion and attempt to murder. Wahab, a resident of Shivaji Nagar, had been absconding since 1994.