Two policemen were injured when assailants hurled country-made bombs at a police escort team that was transporting a ganja case accused from Dindigul to Chennai on Saturday afternoon, the police said.
The attack was carried out around 2.10 p.m. near the Tiruchi–Chennai National Highway when the escort team broke journey at a private restaurant near Thirumanthurai for lunch. The accused, identified as Kalimuthu alias Vella Kali, 30, of Madurai, a history-sheeter was shifted from Dindigul prison to Puzhal Central Prison in Chennai under armed escort.
The police said that while the escort personnel were seated inside the restaurant, a group of assailants who had followed the police vehicle in two cars suddenly arrived at the spot and hurled at least six country-made bombs on the premises in an attempt to kill the accused.
Vinesh Kumar, 37, a police constable attached as the driver of the escort vehicle, sustained a fracture in his left leg while Maruthapandi, 30, another constable, was injured on his chest and head. Both are under treatment at the Perambalur Government Headquarters Hospital.
As the assailants attempted to flee, an Armed Reserve assistant sub-inspector, Ramachandran, who was heading the escort team, opened fire using his service rifle in self-defence to prevent further attack and to secure the accused. Police said around 10 rounds were fired, following which the attackers escaped in their vehicles.
V. Balakrishnan, Inspector-General of Police, told presspersons that armed security had been provided for the escort based on intelligence inputs. He confirmed that the attack appeared to be an attempt to murder the accused while in police custody. “The escort personnel acted swiftly to prevent the assault and to safeguard the accused.” the IG said.
Five special police teams had been formed to trace and arrest the attackers, and the police said they were confident of apprehending them soon. Further investigation is under way.
Published – January 24, 2026 07:09 pm IST
