'Wanted' criminal escapes after shootout with police in Jammu

Jammu, Dec 2 (UNI) A notorious criminal, wanted in many cases by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, managed to escape after a shootout with the police here today, police sources said.

They said the gangster, identified as Sunny alias Saleem Shiekh of Arnia, was noticed moving in the city outskirts. ''We chased him and on seeing the police he ran to escape, a senior police officer told UNI adding he also opened fire on the police party.

''The police retaliated the fire when he reached near Manda in the city outskirts following which traffic on the Nagrota highway halted for a while as panic gripped the entire area.

However, Sunny managed to dodge the police and ran away along with his accomplices. Sunny is wanted for his involvements in cases of extortions and murders. Four to five cases under section 307 and other crimes are standing against him at various police stations, the sources added.

UNI