A routine late-night operation turned into a high-stakes gun battle on Friday as a crime branch team from Gurugram engaged in a fierce exchange of fire with three interstate drug smugglers in Sector 62.
The dramatic confrontation left two suspects and a police officer injured, while a third suspect was successfully apprehended at the scene.
According to police officials, the suspects have been identified as Marfat alias Maru (32) and Phool Babu Sheikh (26), both hailing from Murshidabad district, and Shrikul Sheikh (37) from Nadia district, West Bengal.
The Operation and Shootout
Sandeep Turan, the public relations officer (PRO) of Gurugram police, revealed that the Sector 65 crime branch team received a credible tip-off regarding three armed men plotting a robbery. Acting swiftly, officers established a strategic checkpoint on the road stretching from Nangli Umarpur to Sector 62.
At approximately 11:00 PM, the trio arrived at the checkpoint. When signalled to stop, the suspects panicked, opened fire on the police party, and attempted to flee on a motorcycle.
“Crime branch sleuths chased and intercepted them almost after a kilometre when the suspects opened fire again. One of the bullets hit a police vehicle and another injured a cop,” stated PRO Sandeep Turan.
Outmatched and cornered, the police retaliated in self-defence. During the brief exchange, the suspects fired six rounds, while officers returned fire with three rounds. The counter-offensive incapacitated Marfat and Phool, who sustained bullet injuries to their legs. Meanwhile, a brave police officer was struck in the arm. Shrikul Sheikh was cornered and arrested on the spot following a frantic foot chase.
Seizures and Criminal Background
A thorough search of the area and the suspects yielded incriminating evidence, including:
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136 grams of high-purity MDMA (ecstasy)
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One pistol and one country-made firearm
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An empty cartridge casing
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The getaway motorcycle
Background checks revealed a history of illicit activities among the trio. Phool Babu Sheikh was a wanted fugitive in an active drug smuggling case, with a cash reward previously announced for his capture by Gurugram police. Marfat carried a rap sheet of four criminal cases spanning assault, theft, fake currency circulation, and narcotics trafficking. Shrikul and Phool also faced prior legal actions related to drug smuggling operations.
Legal Action
Following the incident, the injured suspects were rushed for medical evaluation. Marfat and Phool will be formally placed under arrest once certified medically fit by attending physicians.
Based on a formal complaint filed by a crime branch official, an FIR has been registered at the Sector 65 police station under Section 109(1) (Attempt to Murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), alongside relevant provisions of the Arms Act and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Investigations are ongoing to trace the wider network of this interstate syndicate.
