A suspected chain snatcher was fatally shot by Chennai police in an encounter early Wednesday morning near Taramani, after he allegedly attempted to attack officers and flee custody.

The incident, reported at around 4:00 AM, followed the suspect’s arrest on Tuesday for multiple chain-snatching cases across the city, marking a dramatic escalation in efforts to curb rising petty crime.

Police sources identified the deceased as Jaffer Gulam Hussain, a Maharashtra native with a history of chain-snatching incidents. According to officials, Jaffer was being taken to recover stolen goods when he tried to escape, attacking a constable with a weapon—prompting the police to open fire in self-defense.

“He posed an immediate threat, leaving us no choice,” a senior officer stated, though specifics about the weapon remain unclear. The operation unfolded near Taramani, a bustling IT hub, underscoring the audacity of such crimes in urban centers.

The encounter has sparked mixed reactions. Posts on X hailed it as a swift response to crime, with some users praising police action, while others questioned the use of lethal force. This follows a pattern of police encounters in Tamil Nadu, including a 2021 Kancheepuram case where a Jharkhand-based snatcher was killed under similar circumstances.

As investigations continue, the incident highlights Chennai’s ongoing battle with chain-snatching and the contentious tactics employed to tackle it. Jaffer’s accomplice, if any, remains at large, with police tightening security in the area.