A case was registered under sections 121(1), 221, 132, 309(6) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). (File)A wanted criminal, who had allegedly assaulted two Delhi Police personnel and was involved in a string of robberies, was injured in a late-night encounter with the force Monday in the Ghazipur area of the national capital.According to the police, Khem Chand, 33, was carrying a loaded pistol and riding a stolen motorcycle when he allegedly opened fire on the police team. They added the police team shot at Chand in retaliatory action, and he was injured. He is undergoing treatment at Lal Bahadur Shastri Hospital in Kalyanpuri.The police said Chand, a habitual offender with 15 prior criminal cases, had been on the run since July 18, when he and two others allegedly attacked Mohammad Qasim, Assistant Sub-Inspector, and Krishanpal, Constable, during a routine patrol near Anand Vihar.The attackers, riding a bike against traffic, were stopped by the patrolling team. They allegedly launched a violent assault using stolen police batons, severely injuring both officers. The accused also snatched ASI Qasim’s phone, wallet, documents, and cash before fleeing the scene.A case was registered under sections 121(1), 221, 132, 309(6) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).Following the assault, the police launched a high-priority investigation. The police teams used technical surveillance, CCTV footage, and informant inputs to track the suspect’s movements.“On July 21, acting on specific information received by Inspector Arun Kumar, it was learned that Khem Chand was planning another major offence and would be visiting the Paper Market area around 12 to 12.15 am to meet his associates. A joint raiding team was swiftly deployed and strategically positioned near the suspected spot. When he was spotted, Khem Chand was directed to surrender,” said Abhishek Dhania, Deputy Commissioner of Police (East).Story continues below this ad“Instead, he impersonated a police officer and tried to flee. When cornered again, the accused opened fire on the police team. In self-defence, the police team retaliated, resulting in injury to the accused. He was immediately shifted to LBS Hospital, Kalyanpuri, for treatment. The PCR unit and Crime Team were informed, and further legal action is in process. Further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend remaining associates,” Dhania added.A resident of Godda in Jharkhand, Khem Chand was living in Sant Nagar in Burari. The police said, Chand, who is unmarried and illiterate, is known to lead a transient life, often sleeping on railway platforms in Shahdara and Ghaziabad to evade arrest. They said he sustained himself through theft and robbery, mainly driven by his addiction to alcohol and cheap heroin.During interrogation, he allegedly admitted to purchasing a country-made pistol from a man called Sunil, and that he often bought platform tickets to avoid attracting suspicion from railway authorities.The police said he recently attempted to adopt a false identity — that of Javed, son of Abdul Wahab — possibly to escape his criminal past or mislead law enforcement.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:delhi