Thiruvananthapuram: Police on Thursday opened fire at a man facing proceedings under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) after he allegedly attempted to attack officers with a billhook near his residence at Aryancode.

The incident took place around 9 am when officers arrived to arrest him. According to police, the man identified as Kairi Kiran, had been ordered to leave the district for eight months on October 15 under KAAPA, but had returned home in defiance of the directive.

When the police reached his house to take him into custody, he reportedly attempted to charge at them with a billhook. In response, the Station House Officer of Aryancode police station fired at him.

The accused fled the scene after dropping the weapon and was not injured in the firing, officials said. Police teams are continuing the search to locate him.

(With PTI inputs)