Police open fire at Mangaluru-based gangsters near Haliyal

Haliyal/Ankola: Two notorious gang members from Mangaluru were shot in the legs and injured by police after they attempted to escape custody near Ramanguli in Uttara Kannada district.

The incident occurred on Thursday in the Bhagawati forest area of Haliyal taluk, while the police were escorting three accused, including Talath, Noufal, and Sahil—members of the infamous Talath gang—from Mumbai after arrest.

The accused were being brought in connection with a case involving unaccounted cash of Rs 1.14 crore found in a car near Ramanguli.

According to police, the vehicle was stopped briefly for a restroom break. At that time, Talath and Noufal allegedly attacked the officers with liquor bottles and stones in an attempt to flee. The police responded by shooting them in the legs. The third accused, Sahil, remained seated in the vehicle and was taken directly to the Ankola Police Station without injury.

All three accused and some police personnel sustained injuries and were treated at Haliyal Taluk Hospital. Upon learning of the incident, Superintendent of Police M. Narayana and local police officials visited the hospital.

Background of the case

On January 28, Rs 1.14 crore in unaccounted cash was found in a car near Ramanguli, belonging to Rajesh Pawar, a jewellery trader from Mangaluru.

The car, found in an isolated area, had visible damage to the bonnet, windshield, and seats, raising suspicion. Locals alerted the police, who then discovered bundles of cash hidden under the seats.

Initially, Pawar and the car driver approached the Ankola Police Station and filed a robbery complaint days later.

The investigation led to the arrest of five individuals, all allegedly linked to the Talath gang operating from Adyar-Bajal in Mangaluru. A team comprising PSI Uddappa Dhareppanavar from Ankola, PSI Parashurama from Mundgod, and other personnel tracked and detained three of the accused from Mumbai.