Delhi man who snatched cop’s pistol, fired at officer held in UP after encounter

Agra: A 32-year-old man from Delhi, accused of snatching a police pistol and firing at a beat officer, was arrested in an encounter in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, police said on Saturday. The accused, Avinash, who has about a dozen cases in Delhi for robbery, dacoity and snatching, sustained bullet injuries to both legs during a joint operation by Delhi Police and Tundla Police. Two Delhi Police officers were hit by bullets but escaped unhurt due to their bulletproof jackets.The incident took place on Thursday in Safdarjung Enclave, South-West Delhi, when Avinash, a resident of Malviya Nagar, and an accomplice allegedly snatched a beat officer's pistol and fired at him before fleeing. A reward of Rs 50,000 was announced for his arrest.Firozabad (city) ASP Ravi Shanker Prasad said, "At around 2:20pm in Rose Garden, the accused snatched the officer's pistol, fired with intent to kill and fled. The officer narrowly escaped. An FIR was registered under BNS section 109(1) (attempt to murder) and other provisions."He added, "Using CCTV footage and technical analysis, Avinash was traced to Tundla in Firozabad. He was located near Raja Ka Tal, close to Jarauli Kala cremation ground. On spotting the police, he opened fire. The bullets struck the bulletproof jackets of ACP Melvyn Varghese and inspector Ram Kumar of the special operation cell, South-West Delhi, who narrowly escaped."Avinash was arrested and admitted to hospital with bullet injuries to both legs. Police recovered the stolen pistol and three empty cartridges from him. A separate case has been registered at Tundla police station under BNS section 109(1) and the Arms Act. His accomplice remains at large, officials said.