Street shootout shocks Seelampur

Two men shot dead a gangster and were killed by his associates before they could escape in northeast Delhi’s Seelampur on Tuesday in a shootout that saw assailants roam the streets freely on a killing spree.

Two hired killers on motorcycles shot dead gangster Shamim Chowdhury, 32, point blank near his house, sparking a chase during which his associates chased the killers and gunned them down near the area police station.

Police seized a US-made pistol and 25 live cartridges from the spot.

Police said around 11.45 pm, two men came to Shamim’s house and knocked on his door. They asked him to accompany them to the Central Bank of India branch close-by.

“As they reached the bank, the two men opened fire on him, hitting him in the chest and neck. He died instantly. The two men then fled on their motorcycle,” said a police officer probing the case.

The gangster’s supporters, some of who were in the area, then chased the two men and caught them near the police station as their motorcycle lost balance. “The two were then shot four times each in their abdomen reportedly by Shamim’s supporters. We have begun investigations and would arrest the killers soon,” said the officer.

The entire Seelampur market shut on Wednesday as a mark of condolence. Shamim had come out on bail about five months ago after being jailed in an extortion case. “Whatever the police might say about him, he was like a saviour to us. We fondly called him Bhagatji,” said a resident.

Doctors at the GTB Hospital conducted the post-mortem twice to take out the bullets from his body. Police said the motorcycle used in the crime was stolen from Uttarakhand in 2006.

“The two men killed are yet to be identified. We have certain clues and are investigating the case,” said Jaspal Singh, DCP (northeast).

Police did not rule out the involvement of close relatives.