Four criminals held after encounter

New Delhi: The Delhi police arrested four notorious criminals after an encounter at Pul Prahlad Pur area in southeast Delhi late Thursday night. The police recovered two country-made fire arms along with 8 live cartridges, one Maruti Swift car and five mobile phones from their possession.

“Their plan to rob a factory, assumed to have stocked notes in new currency worth few lakhs, was foiled by the police and four of their members were nabbed following an encounter. In view of the changed circumstances post-demonetisation and keeping in view the increased activity on ‘pay day’, particularly in industrial areas of Okhla, there were elaborate arrangements made by the Pul Prahaladpur and Badarpur police for collection of intelligence regarding possible criminal activities like snatching, robbery, etc.,” said Romil Baaniya, DCP (Southeast).

On Thursday, the police received information about suspected robbers planning a dacoity in the area of Pul Prahladpur.

“The team took their positions at the designated places near Vishwa Karma Colony, M.B. Road. At around 11.40 pm, an informer spotted two cars whose number plates were smudged with mud to conceal the registration number followed by one motorcycle,” the officer said. One of the cars was stopped by a cop and the occupant was asked to come out.

“Finding themselves trapped, the occupant of the car came out and took out one pistol and fired aiming at the cop.”

The driver of Honda City managed to escape, he added. The police overpowered four of the accused and teams have been formed to nab the remaining accused.