New Delhi: An attempt to kill a doctor in northwest Delhi recently ended in a shootout. Crime branch personnel intercepted two hitmen of gangster Himanshu Bhau after they crashed their getaway SUV while fleeing a roadblock. Both were shot at in self-defence and taken into custody, police said.According to special CP (crime) HGS Dhaliwal, the police action, which helped avert an advanced murder plot, was initiated after cops received intelligence regarding the movement of gang operatives.Investigators learned that Bhau had issued death threats to Dr Narendra Sharma, owner of RRM Hospital in Bakkarwala, following extortion demands and dispatched two shooters to murder him.An elaborate operation was planned to save the doctor’s life. Armed with inputs on their movement, crime branch sleuths and cops from Haryana Police set up a cordon near a flyover in the area.When police spotted a Thar, they signalled the driver to stop. However, the vehicle accelerated sharply, turning onto the UER service road in a frantic attempt to break through the blockade. The high-speed escape was cut short when the SUV crashed broadside into a utility pick-up.“Both occupants abandoned the wrecked SUV and started fleeing on foot. When cops challenged them and asked them to surrender, the two drew out 9mm Glock pistols and fired around eight indiscriminate rounds,” Dhaliwal said.Taking cover, the police team fired six warning shots into the air. When the two continued to engage them, the cops returned fire in self-defence. Both suspects sustained gunshot injuries and were overpowered on the spot.One of them was identified as Sameer (19), a resident of Rithal Phogat in Haryana’s Rohtak; the other also appeared to be a teen. Two Glock pistols were seized from them before both were taken to RTR Hospital for treatment.Police are trying to extradite Bhau, who is believed to be in the US. He used to operate from Portugal after fleeing India in 2022 following a violent spree of three killings in a month.A native of Rohtak, Haryana, Bhau entered the world of organised crime in 2020. He has over 17 cases of murder and extortion against him. Now barely 24, he has already emerged as a major underworld threat across Delhi-NCR and has an Interpol Red Notice against him.Bhau’s signature calling card is high-volume, indiscriminate gunfire; his operatives frequently unload dozens of rounds at targeted commercial establishments following extortion demands.The expansion of his activities in Delhi has triggered crackdowns involving National Investigation Agency, Delhi Police and Haryana Police. Despite nationwide raids ending in the seizure of dozens of phones and forged documents, Bhau continues to direct syndicate operations remotely, prompting cops in Delhi and Haryana to announce cash rewards for his capture.
