Smuggler shot dead

Bhopal, May 19 (UNI) Notorious smuggler Saleem Lala was sht dead in an encounter in Mandsaur district's Akodda village.

''Following a tip-off, a police team was sent last night to the village. On observing the cops, Lala and three accomplices opened fire,'' said Superintendent of Police R K Chaudhry.

Retaliatory action resulted in the smuggler sustaining three gunshot wounds but the accomplices managed to escape. Lala succumbed while being rushed to hospital. The fiery exchange injured Sub-Inspector Ajay Mishra and villager Sumitra both of whom were hospitalised.

Lala had more than a dozen criminal cases registered against him.

He had jumped parole and was also being sought by Gujarat and Rajasthan Police.

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