Criminal clashes with cops in a bid to escape custody, dies of injuries at hospital

JAMMU: A criminal who sustained critical injuries in a clash with cops while trying to escape police custody, died at Jammu GMCH on Tuesday.

“A police team from Jammu had gone to Baba Batala, in Punjab’s Amritsar, to round up two wanted suspects with help from Punjab Police late Monday. The duo was involved in several criminal cases in Jammu-Kathua-Samba range in Jammu region,” said a police spokesperson.

“The team arrested Mustaq Ali, a native of Samba’s Bari Brahmana area and another accused. While returning from Amritsar to Jammu, one of the accused sought to relieve himself, and cops halted the vehicle. Once out of the vehicle, both accused attacked police personnel, trying to snatch their weapons and escape. In the ensuing scuffle, Mustaq was seriously injured while four policemen also ended up with minor wounds,” said the spokesperson.

“Mustaq was taken to Jammu GMCH where doctors declared him dead,” the spokesperson said, adding: “A case in this connection was registered at Bishnah PS while further investigation is underway.”

Police have requested Jammu district magistrate to order an inquiry into the death besides constituting a board of doctors to perform the post-mortem examination .