Policeman killed in Hyderabad shootout

HYDERABAD - Two assailants on motorcycle opened fire at a police picket here, killing a police constable and injuring two others on Friday.

The two attackers came on a motorcycle and opened fire on the picket in Shahali Banda, about a kilometre from the Charminar and Mecca Masjid, in the Old City area. The assailants fled after the attack.

Ahead of the third anniversary of the blast at the Mecca Masjid, which is on May 18, the policemen were deployed as part of the security arrangements.

Andhra Pradesh Special Police Constable Ramesh died while being taken to the Osmania Hospital while two other policemen were being treated for their injuries.

Hyderabad Police chief A.K. Khan said that Viqar Ahmed alias Viqaruddin alias Ali Khan is the main suspect behind the attack.

Police have put up barricades at several points in the city and started checking vehicles and frisking people.

On the second anniversary of the blast in 2009, a policeman was killed and another injured in a similar attack at Falaknuma area of the old city. (ANI)