NEW DELHI: A constable was killed during an encounter with four alleged auto-lifters at New Friends Colony here in the early hours of Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Constable Brij Bhushan (36) received a tip-off that some criminals would come to the area. Accordingly a team was formed to trap the suspects. Around midnight, the team spotted a Maruti-800 car in which the suspects were travelling. The police intercepted the vehicle near Ashoka Park at which one of the suspects, later identified as Sunil, trained a firearm at Head Constable Ramhit. The head constable too took out his service weapon and tried to overpower Sunil.

Meanwhile, one of the accused on the driving seat reversed the vehicle in a bid to flee, hitting two police personnel in the process. To prevent their escape Head Constable Ramhit fired at the driver, later identified as Satish. The bullet, however, pierced the culprit's left arm and hit Constable Brij Bhushan in the chest.

While the four criminals were overpowered, Brij Bhushan was rushed to Holy Family Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Satish along with Head Constable Ramhit and Constable Jagat, who also sustained injuries during the action, was taken to hospital for treatment.

During interrogation, the other two accused identified themselves as Shokeen and Mohammad Asraf. The police said Asraf was earlier involved in cases of murder, robbery and carjacking. He spent about six years in jail and was released recently. He met the other accused while in jail.

DCP Anil Shukla said the name of Constable Brij Bhushan's widow has been forwarded for induction into the Delhi police on compassionate grounds. Also, his name is being recommended for a gallantry award. Brij Bhushan is survived by his wife and two children.

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