Bengaluru: The Bellandur police shot two habitual offenders in the legs after the duo attacked them in an attempt to escape at Chikkanayakanahalli on the outskirts of the city on Sunday. The shooting comes in the wake of Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy directing the police to contain anti-social activities and take stringent action against offenders.

The police have identified the accused as Muzammil and Amar, wanted in several unsolved cases. After receiving a complaint of a robbery on Sarjapur Road, the police identified the two as the suspects and formed four teams to apprehend them. The teams, headed by Bellandur inspector Victor Simon and Varthur inspector Sudhakar found their vehicle abandoned near a eucalyptus grove at Chikkanayakanahalli. While scouting the area, they tracked down Muzammil and Amar, and asked them to surrender they attacked the police constables with daggers.

The accused have been admitted to a private hospital, while police constables Vinay and Antony were treated for minor injuries. The police claimed the two were involved in 11 robbery cases in areas bordering Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. They are also accused in a murder and attempt-to-murder case.