Absconding criminals attack police officer in Jammu

Jammu, Nov 23 (UNI) A group of absconding criminals attacked and critically wounded a police officer here last night, police today said.

They said the Station House Officer (SHO) Gandhi Nagar, Rafiq Manhas was attacked with a sharp edged weapon by criminals who were wanted in a murder case since long.

''The officer accompanied by a police team reached Rehari area here after getting an information about the presence of the wanted criminals,'' the police told UNI adding that the criminals, on seeing the police team led by SHO Rafiq Manhas, tried to escape but were overpowered by them.

''They attacked the SHO with sharp edged weapons and opened fire in air in which the officer got wounded,'' Superintendent Police (South) Zahid Manhas said.

''The criminals were involved in an attempt to murder case in bordering RS Pura belt recently besides other criminal activities and had been hiding in a house in the guise of tenants,'' Mr Manhas added.

The accused have been identified as Sarvesh Gupta alias Kaka, son of Gian Singh, Gurmeet Singh alias Kalu, son of Jasbir Singh and Kashu Sharma alias Ashu, son of Karam Chand, all residents of RS Pura.

Meanwhile, the injured police officer was later operated upon where he sustained eight stitches in his right arm and his condition was stated to be stable.

''A fresh case of attempt to murder under Section 307 IPC besides cases related to attacking government servant on duty and Arms Act have been registered against the accused and two sharp-edged weapons and a shot gun were recovered from their possession,'' SP Zahid Manhas said.

UNI