Telangana State – Hyderabad : Panic gripped the busy Chaderghat area of Hyderabad on Saturday evening when a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) opened fire, injuring a mobile phone thief who allegedly tried to attack the police with a knife.
The incident occurred around 5 p.m. near Victory Playground, on the banks of the Musi River, when Sai Chaitanya, DCP (South East), was returning to his office after a meeting at the Police Commissioner’s Office. He reportedly spotted two offenders — one of them a known rowdy sheeter — snatching a mobile phone in the area.
According to officials, DCP Chaitanya, accompanied by his gunman, attempted to apprehend the duo. When cornered, one of the accused allegedly tried to attack the constable with a knife, injuring him in the process. Reacting to the assault, the DCP fired two rounds from his service weapon, injuring one of the accused.
Police Commissioner C. V. Sajjanar, who visited the scene, confirmed that the injured offender sustained bullet wounds on his hand and near the stomach. He was immediately shifted to a private hospital for treatment, while his accomplice managed to flee.
The injured accused was identified as Omer Ansari, a rowdy sheeter from Kalapatthar police station limits, who is reportedly involved in nearly 20 criminal cases. The DCP and his gunman also suffered minor injuries during the scuffle and were taken to a private hospital for medical attention.
Commissioner Sajjanar defended the officer’s decision to open fire in a crowded locality, stating that the DCP acted to protect his colleague who was under attack. “The constable’s life was in danger, and the officer’s response was appropriate under the circumstances,” he said.
The incident caused a brief commotion in the area as people fled in panic. Eyewitnesses said the accused tried to escape by running into the Victory Playground and mingling with the crowd before being confronted by the police.
The Sultan Bazar Police registered a case and began collecting clues from the scene. Multiple teams have been formed to trace the absconding accomplice.
Senior police officials, including DCP (South Zone) Sneha Mehra and DCP (Central Zone) K. Shipavalli, also visited the site and reviewed the situation.
Authorities said additional patrols have been deployed in the area to prevent further unrest, while the investigation continues.
