One killed in police encounter during anti-drug op in Pali

Jodhpur: A 36-year-old suspect died in the early hours of Friday during an exchange of fire between alleged smugglers and police in Diwer valley under Khinwara police station limits in Pali district's Bali area. Police have identified the deceased as Bhutaram who sustained a bullet injury to the chest during the firing.
He was rushed to a hospital in Pali but succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment. Another suspect, identified as Dinesh alias Nainaram, was taken into custody.Police said they also seized the vehicle used by the accused, along with a weapon and sacks containing a consignment of poppy husk. According to the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), officials received a tip-off about narcotics being transported in two vehicles. Acting on the information, the Bali unit of the ANTF set up blockades at two points in the Diwer valley area. ASP (Bali) Chen Singh Mahecha said one of the vehicles ahead made a U-turn on spotting the barricades, and its occupants allegedly opened fire in the air while fleeing. Police chased the vehicle, but the suspects managed to escape.Police said that the second vehicle was then intercepted using a road spike strip, which punctured its tyres. However, the driver did not stop. Police later blocked its path by positioning their vehicle in front of the suspects' vehicle. Confronted by the police vehicle ahead, they attempted to ram the police vehicle, leading to an exchange of fire, police said.