Telangana police gunned down two armed assailants who killed two of their men at Suryapet in Nalgonda two days ago.
But in the fierce shoot out which took place around 7 a.m. at Janakipuram near Mothkuru mandal of Nalgonda district after a dramatic chase, one constable Nagraj lost his life while three other policemen - Inspectors - Balanagi Reddy, Gangaram and a SI Siddaiah were injured.
Mr. Reddy and Mr. Siddaiah have been shifted to a private hospital here and both are said to be critical.
Initially, it was thought the accused were members of a robbery gang from Uttar Pradesh. However, investigators are now veering around to the view that these could be activists of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).
Earlier, the entire Telangana police were on high alert after a constable and a Home Guard were shot dead at Suryapet bus-stand on Wednesday midnight by the assailants. The Suryapet Inspector and another HG were also critically injured in that firing.
Killers had also taken away the carbine of one of the slain policemen. Police launched one of the biggest manhunts of recent times organising vehicle checks and frisking all over the State.
While they were clueless about the killers movements till Friday, the special police parties on the look-out for the duo learnt that the accused had snatched a bike from a villager at gunpoint at Janakipuram around 5 a.m.
Scores of police teams rushed to the village when the accused were spotted crossing some bushes. Despite calls to surrender, the accused opened fire on policemen, resulting in exchange of fire.
The gun battle continued for at least 30 minutes till the criminals were shot dead. But constable Nagaraju lost his life in the firing.
Meanwhile, Telenagana Home Minister N. Narasimha Reddy visited Kamineni Hospitals at Nagole where the injured police officers have been admitted.
