Police today fired two rounds on the tyres of a vehicle carrying four alleged thieves, in self-defense as the culprits pelted stones and tried to kill the policemen by ramming their truck into the police van, officials said.
The four were fleeing away after allegedly stealing a stock of tobacco and tarpaulin in a truck, they added.
"Inspector P G Chauhan of Asalai police station today fired two rounds from his service revolver in his self-defence on the tyres of a truck in which four persons were traveling, after they stole a stock of tobacco at SP Ring road area here on the city outskirts," Police Station Officer Dinesh Sinh of Asalai said.
When the police party including Chauhan chased them, they started throwing stones and pipes on cops and tried to kill them by ramming their truck into the police-van, following which the police inspector had to fire two rounds on the tyre of the truck in self defense, added Sinh.
However, all the policemen had alighted from the van when the truck dashed into it, said Sinh.
All the four persons involved in the offense were arrested, he said.
The accused were running away after they stole a stock of tobacco and tarpaulin, which is used to cover tobacco boxes, from a truck with the passing number KA-31-9641 at S P ring road area here, Sinh said.
After the daring chase, police nabbed them and seized around 182 boxes of a famous tobacco brand to the tune of Rs eight lakh, he said.
The accused have been identified as Umar Faruq Musa Charkha of Panchmahal district, Tina Bariya, Ravi Nayak and Dalpat Nayak from Dahod district, Sinh said.
Police have registered case against the four men under IPC sections 307 (attempt to murder), 397 (Robbery, or dacoity, with attempt to cause death or grievous hurt), 323 (Punishment for voluntarily causing hurt) and 336 (Act endangering life or personal safety of others), he said.
