Cops gun down criminal in Salem

A 35-year-old history-sheeter was shot dead after he attempted to attack a police team which went to arrest him here Thursday, police said. A few police personnel were reportedly injured in the incident.

Police said they were on the lookout for Kathirvel for the last few years and following a tip raided a place at Kariampatti in Salem. As police started searching the area, he tried to attack the police personnel forcing them to open fire in self-defence, they said.

Kathirvel, who was seriously wounded, was taken to the government hospital where he was declared brought dead, police said. Police said he escaped when a crackdown on rowdies was launched in and around Salem a few years ago..