Police squad attacked in Kozhikode; five suspected crooks arrested

Image used to represent | Photo credit: The Hindu

Four policemen attached to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Palakkad sustained injuries after a suspected criminal gang attacked them with firearms and firecrackers at Peruvayal near Mavoor on Saturday (July 11, 2026) morning. A law enforcement team traced the suspects to a hideout in Kozhikode city while investigating the high-profile kidnapping of a foreign businessman who was allegedly held for a ransom of ₹70 crore.

According to police sources, the confrontation took place around 9:00 a.m. when a police unit, acting on accurate location data, targeted the suspects at a local villa. The gang allegedly launched a violent resistance, throwing unidentified explosive material and pulling out a firearm the moment the police tried to arrest them.

A senior police officer from Mavoor station said the attack appeared premeditated at the spot. After the initial encounter, a special police team from Mavoor police station rushed to the spot to secure the area and arrest the suspects.

Five persons found at the scene – identified as Vishnu, Salman, Shameer, David and Jackson – were subsequently taken into custody and arrested. Among those arrested was Shameer, also known as “Aadu” Shameer, a history writer with a record of several crimes.

While the contents of the explosives remain under investigation, preliminary evidence indicated the use of high-powered firecrackers. Portions of the exploded materials were collected at the site for detailed forensic analysis. A senior official confirmed that a comprehensive investigation is underway to trace the illicit origin of the firearm and establish how the suspects managed to secure the lease of the property in the city undetected.

Published – 11 Jul 2026 13:05 IST