Main accused in sword, stone attack on police in Umarkhed held after 10 months on the run

The main accused in a murderous attack on police officers with swords and stones in Umarkhed, Yavatmal district, who had been absconding, has finally been arrested. The D.B. squad of Umarkhed police made the arrest. The accused has been identified as Sheikh Ansar Sheikh Ismail (32), a resident of Umarkhed. He was caught in a trap laid on Nanded Road.

According to available information, the incident took place on the evening of 14 January earlier this year in the Nagchowk area of Umarkhed. A fight was going on between two groups, and police officers from Umarkhed police station had reached the spot to settle it. It is alleged that some known and unknown accused then attacked them fiercely with swords and stones.

Police had already arrested some accused in the case. However, the main accused, Sheikh Ansar, had given the police the slip on the day of the incident and absconded. He had remained out of police reach for about 10 months since.

The D.B. squad had been keeping watch on him for the past few days on the basis of technical analysis and confidential tip-offs. On Monday, the squad received firm information that the accused had come to the Nanded Road area of Umarkhed. Police then immediately laid a trap and arrested him skilfully.

The accused was produced in court on Tuesday, which ordered that he be sent to police custody. Assistant Police Inspector Gangalwad is conducting further investigation into the case.

The action was taken under the guidance of Shankar Panchal, station house officer of Umarkhed police station. Assistant Police Inspector Vyankat Gangalwad, D.B. head Sub-Inspector Sharad Lohkare and Assistant Sub-Inspector Patange, among others, took part in the operation.