Mangaluru: An incident involving police gunfire occurred near Bellichadavu of Eshwara Mangala in Puttur Taluk, Dakshina Kannada district, as law enforcement officials attempted to apprehend individuals allegedly involved in the illegal transportation of cattle to Kerala.
According to official sources, officers from the Puttur Rural Police Station were conducting surveillance following intelligence that livestock was being smuggled from Hassan towards the Kerala border. Police attempted to intercept a lorry suspected of carrying the animals illegally, but the driver reportedly refused to stop and tried to flee.
Police open fire in self-defense
The situation escalated when the lorry driver allegedly maneuvered the vehicle in a way that endangered the officers, reportedly attempting to run over them. In response to the imminent threat, PSI Jamburaj Mahajan of Puttur Rural Station discharged his firearm, injuring one of the accused, identified as Abdullah, in the leg.
Abdullah was immediately taken into custody and transported to a local medical facility for treatment. Medical officials confirmed that his condition is stable. A second individual in the lorry fled the scene and remains at large, prompting authorities to launch a search operation to apprehend the suspect.
Rescue of cattle
Following the incident, police inspected the impounded lorry and rescued ten cows being transported under allegedly illegal conditions. The animals have been taken into protective custody.
Dakshina Kannada District Superintendent of Police Dr. Arun visited the site personally to conduct an inspection and gather firsthand information. Preliminary police reports stated that the accused actively attempted to endanger the lives of officers, compelling them to use force in self-defense.
Investigation underway
A formal case has been registered at the Puttur Rural Police Station, and authorities are conducting a comprehensive investigation to ascertain the full circumstances surrounding the incident. Law enforcement has emphasised that the use of force was necessitated due to the immediate threat posed to officers during the attempted cattle smuggling operation.