Kalaburagi, 26 April

In an early morning encounter near Belur Cross Industrial Area on Saturday, Kalaburagi police shot and injured two suspects allegedly involved in a series of interstate ATM robberies.

The accused, Taslim Tasi, 28, and Sharif, 22, both from Haryana, attempted to flee during a foiled ATM robbery. Despite police warnings to surrender, they continued to attack officers, prompting a self-defence response. PSI Basavaraj and CPI Santosh Thattepalli from the Suburban Police Station fired shots, injuring the suspects in their legs.

Kalaburagi Police Commissioner Dr Sharanappa SD told Salar News that two weeks ago, the same gang used a gas cutter to steal Rs 18 lakh from an ATM. The police had been tracking their vehicle, a white car, which was identified during night patrols.

Taslim, believed to be the kingpin, has 10 cases against him, while Sharif is linked to three. Two other suspects — Ameer, 25, from Hyderabad and Shahid, 27, from Shikampur, Haryana — were also arrested. Tools, including a gas cutter and the vehicle, were seized.

All four suspects are under investigation for ATM heists across Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan.