Daijiworld Media Network - Kalaburagi

Kalaburagi, Apr 26: Two accused in the recent SBI ATM robbery case in Kalaburagi were shot in the leg by police during a dramatic chase and confrontation late Friday night. The incident occurred when the accused allegedly attacked officers with sharp weapons, prompting police to open fire in self-defence.

The injured accused, identified as Tasleem and Sharif, were taken to the Gulbarga Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS) along with four injured policemen—PSI Basavaraj and constables Raju, Manjunath, and Firoz—who sustained injuries during the scuffle.

ATM robbery in Kalaburagi (file photo)

Kalaburagi police commissioner S D Sharanappa stated that the two men were among those involved in the April 9 robbery of an SBI ATM near Ramanagar on the Kalaburagi Ring Road. The gang had used a gas cutter to break open the machine and escape with Rs 18 lac. The CCTV cameras at the kiosk were disabled with black spray paint, and the crime was executed in the absence of the security guard.

Following the robbery, police launched an intensive investigation, including increased night patrolling and checkpoints across the district. Based on a tip-off, officers traced a suspicious white i20 car with an out-of-state number plate near Begur Industrial Area.

When confronted, the accused allegedly turned violent. Officers from the Suburban and University police stations, led by Suburban ACP and PSI Basavaraj, pursued the suspects, who attempted to flee but were trapped at a dead end.

Commissioner Sharanappa confirmed that when two accused attacked the officers, police were forced to retaliate, resulting in both being shot in the leg.