Belagavi (Karnataka): A gang rape accused was shot in the leg by Karnataka Police in Belagavi district on Saturday after he attacked officers in an attempt to escape.

Police confirmed that the incident took place within the limits of Kittur police station. The accused has been identified as Ramesh Killar.

According to police, Killar faces charges in a gang rape case, a dacoity case, a robbery and an arms case. Authorities also confirmed that three Non-Bailable Warrants (NBW) had been issued against him.

The Kittur police team went to arrest the accused at around 6 am on Saturday after gathering intelligence about his movements.

During the operation, Killar allegedly attacked the officers, stabbing Constable Sharif Dafedaar before attempting to flee. Sub-Inspector Praveen Gangolli fired a warning shot in the air and instructed him to surrender.

However, when the accused did not pay heed to the warning by the cops, he was shot in the leg and arrested.

The injured policemen and the accused have been admitted to the Belagavi Institute of Medical Sciences (BIMS) hospital. More details are yet to emerge regarding the incident.

Earlier, on April 14, a 35-year-old migrant worker who allegedly kidnapped and murdered a five-year-old girl in Hubballi was nabbed within hours and shot dead when he tried to attack the police team which was taking him for questioning.

Police said Ritesh Kumar, from Patna in Bihar, was working as a labourer in Hubballi for the last few years. The accused lured the girl with snacks and led her into a bathroom. Afterwards, he had killed her and escaped from the spot. The CCTV footage showing the accused lifting the child and taking her away had shocked the state.

On March 22, the Mysuru police had shot Adarsh aka Murugan, an accused of a dacoity case in the leg. The accused had attacked policemen with a broken beer bottle, when he was let out to relieve himself while in custody.

IANS