Cop shooting: Cartridges used mainly in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar

Hyderabad: After opening fire on poilce officials who were at the Hitec city bus Station, the robbers also fired at a car belonging to MPTC member G. Dorababu of the TD from West Godavari in order to use the vehicle to escape. Police suspect the gang to be from UP or Bihar. However, the Maoist angle is also being probed.

The deceased cops have been identified as police constable Lingaiah and home guard Mahesh of Suryapet police station. The injured CI Mogalaiah and home guard Kishore were shifted to KIMS Hospital in Hyderabad.

The two cops in the police team who were carrying weapons could not fire as the attack was unexpected.

After the attack, though the gang tried to take the MPTC member’s car, they failed to get it. Police is yet to find out how the gang fled from the spot.

Though the cops found a voter’s ID card from the crime scene, it’s suspected to be fake. Police have collected CCTV footage from the bus station. “Special teams have been formed to nab the robbers and teams from Hyderabad have also joined the search. Empty cartridges are being verified. They are used in 7.65 country weapons. They are commonly used in UP and Bihar,” Mr Anurag Sharma added. The gang also took away a .9mm pistol before fleeing the spot.

The cops suspect that the gang fled towards Khammam in order to cross the state border to enter Odisha. A statewide manhunt has been launched. Police departments of neighbouring states have also been alerted.

Investigation officials of the case are also probing if the assailants are the same shooters who had attacked  an astrologer in Saroornagar on Wednesday.