A wanted gangster has been shot dead in an exchange of fire with police near Government Medical College (GMC) hospital in Kathua, police said on Wednesday.
Probationary Sub-Inspector Deepak Sharma, who suffered head injuries during the encounter, died during treatment in a Pathankot hospital, they said, adding that a special police officer, Anil Kumar, was also injured.
Acting on a tip-off, a team of officials chased gangsters Vasudev, a key accused in a murder case registered at Ramgarh police station, which led to an exchange of fire near the Government Medical College (GMC) hospital around 10.35 pm on Tuesday, a police spokesperson said.
When they were fired upon by the gangsters, the police retaliated and killed Vasudev near the Government Medical College hospital around 10.30 pm yesterday.
Vasudev was killed in the encounter while one of his associates was injured, police added. The 32-years old Deepak Sharma was injured in the head while 40-year-old Special Police Officer Anil Kumar also suffered injuries. They were initially admitted to GMC Hospital in Kathua and later taken to Amandeep Hospital in Pathankot, the spokesperson said.
Lt Governor Manoj Sinha said Deepak Sharma made a supreme sacrifice while valiantly fighting & neutralising a most wanted gangster in Kathua. ”His supreme sacrifice will remain etched in our hearts. Every drop of blood of our martyr will be avenged and we are committed to creating a fear-free J&K,” he said.