DJS terrorists shoot, seriously injure two policemen, red alert in Hyderabad

Waqar Ahmed

HYDERABAD, India, Dec 3, 2008 (Reuters) – A policeman who tried to arrest a local Muslim leader in the southern city of Hyderabad were injured on Wednesday when the Muslim Jihadis opened fire. Their leader Waqar Ahmad was a former SIMI activist who is presently active in the notorious terror group DJS (Darshgah Jihad O Shahadath).

The shooting came amid heightened security alerts across India barely one week after the November 26 attacks in Mumbai where 171 Hindus, Jews and Christians were massacred by Islamic Jihadis.

There was panic in Hyderabad after accomplices of a former SIMI activist Waqar Ahmed, an accused in the Mecca Masjid blast case, opened fire on a police team at Santhoshnagar Cross Roads today afternoon. Waqar Ahmed has been absconding and police said they received a tip-off that he was moving around in the slums adjoining Santhoshnagar. A team of anti-insurgency force policemen was dispatched there to check the information.

Police officials said that the police patrol spotted Wiqar Ahmed walking near the Santhoshnagar cross road and started to chase him.

The "Tanveer Sanitation" store near Santoshnagar Crossroads where the firing took place

As the constables cornered Waqar Ahmed near the "Tanveer Sanitation" store and were taking him away, a four member gang of DJS Jihadis emerged suddenly and started firing. They opened fire at the policemen in which head constable Rama Raju was hit in the stomach and collapsed on the road. The injured constable has been rushed to the Apollo DRDO hospital where his condition is stated to be serious. Another constable suffered hand injures as the bullets struck his hand. Immediately, the four DJS terrorists, along with Wiqar Ahmad, escaped.

Braveheart head constable Rama Raju who was seriously injured

Hyderabad Police Commissioner B Prasada Rao said, “A police patrol recognised Waqar Ahmed and he was surrounded but suddenly his accomplices opened fire and a Head Constable Rama Raju was hit in the stomach. He has been admitted to the Apollo Hospital. The Islamic terrorist fled the spot in the ensuing melee.”

The owner of "Tanveer Sanitation" store has been arrested for questioning and possible terror ties.

Meanwhile, a red alert has been announced in the city. Police put up barricades across the city and all vehicles are being checked. Additional forces have been rushed to public places and suspicious persons are being frisked and their identifies are being checked.