Coimbatore City Police opened fire on three Uttar Pradesh-based robbers early Saturday morning, shooting them in the legs after the suspects attacked a head constable with a sickle and attempted to escape at Kulathupalayam near Sugunapuram. The injured men, identified as Ashif (48), Irfan (45), and Arif (60), are receiving treatment at Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital under heavy police guard.
The interstate gang had executed a daring daylight robbery on Friday, targeting thirteen houses in the Kavundampalayam government quarters while officials were away on duty. Between 10 am and 3 pm, the robbers broke into residences including that of the District Revenue Officer, making off with 56 sovereigns of gold jewellery, 250 grams of silver ornaments, and Rs 2 lakh in cash before disappearing into the city.
Upon returning home, government employees discovered the break-ins and immediately alerted Kavundampalayam police station. Three special teams were formed and began analysing CCTV footage from surrounding areas, successfully tracing the suspects to a hideout in Kuniyamuthur and then tracking their movements to a house in Kulathupalayam where the final confrontation unfolded.
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When police surrounded the premises and moved in for arrest, the cornered robbers launched a violent assault, with one wielding a sickle that struck a head constable. As the trio attempted to break through the cordon and flee, officers fired in self-defence, neutralising the immediate threat by shooting each suspect in the legs to prevent further violence or escape.
Authorities have confirmed the gang’s involvement in multiple robbery cases across states and recovered a portion of the stolen property. The injured head constable is stable, while investigations continue into the full extent of the gang’s operations and possible additional accomplices still at large.
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