Two history-sheeters having at least 10 criminal cases pending against them, were shot dead by the Madurai city police on Thursday.
Karthik alias Saguni Karthik and Mandhiri alias Muthuirulandi were shot dead by a team of Madurai city police at Sikkandar Chavadi near here.
The police said that when the accused tried to open fire on a police team, the police retaliated and shot them dead inside a house in Mandhaiamman Kovil Street around 4:15 p.m.
The bodies have been shifted to Government Rajaji Hospital.
While the operation was conducted by the city police, the encounter happened under Alanganallur police station limits under Madurai rural police.