Telangana Police on Monday shot dead notorious rowdy-sheeter Riaz, the prime accused in the brutal murder of Constable Pramod, near a government hospital in Nizamabad. Officials said Riaz, who was being treated under police custody, allegedly attempted to snatch a weapon from one of the armed reserve constables guarding him and tried to open fire, forcing the police to retaliate.
Director General of Police Shivadar Reddy confirmed the incident and said the encounter took place when Riaz made a sudden and violent attempt to overpower the security personnel. “He attempted to seize the firearm from the policemen on duty. Had he managed to fire, several police personnel and civilians could have been killed. The police had no choice but to open fire in self-defense,” the DGP stated.
Riaz was already facing several criminal cases and was the main accused in Constable Pramod’s murder case. The incident that led to Pramod’s death occurred earlier this month when Riaz, who was being taken to the police station, stabbed the constable with a knife and escaped. The killing of a fellow officer deeply angered the police department and prompted an intense manhunt across Nizamabad district and neighboring regions.
Following the murder, nine special police teams were formed to track down Riaz. After days of search operations, the teams finally traced him hiding inside an abandoned lorry cabin near Sarampur village on the outskirts of Nizamabad. He was taken into custody and admitted to a hospital for treatment under tight security. However, during the hospital stay, he made another desperate attempt to attack the police, which led to the fatal encounter.
Multi-Zone IG Chandrasekhar Reddy was assigned to personally monitor the situation in Nizamabad. The DGP also instructed police officials to visit Constable Pramod’s family and ensure they receive all possible support and assistance from the department. The constable’s killing has left a deep impact on the police fraternity, with several officers calling it a reminder of the dangers involved in handling hardened criminals.
According to police records, Riaz was a habitual offender with more than 30 criminal cases registered against him. His crimes included vehicle thefts, house burglaries, and chain-snatching incidents across multiple police jurisdictions. He had reportedly been imprisoned 10 to 11 times but continued his criminal activities after every release. Due to his notoriety and violent nature, the police had even announced a cash reward of ₹50,000 for information leading to his capture.
Authorities said an official inquiry will be conducted into the encounter as per standard procedure. Police have also intensified patrolling in the Nizamabad area to maintain law and order and prevent any possible unrest. Senior officials praised the efforts of the police teams involved in the manhunt, calling it a swift and determined operation that brought a dangerous criminal to justice.
The encounter has sparked public discussion across Telangana, with many hailing the police action as a justified response to a violent offender, while others have demanded a detailed investigation to ensure transparency. The DGP reiterated that the police acted strictly according to law and in defense of public safety, emphasizing that no officer would have taken such an action unless it was absolutely necessary.
The incident marks the latest in a series of police encounters involving repeat offenders in Telangana, a state known for maintaining a firm stance on law and order. Investigations into the entire sequence of events, including the constable’s murder, Riaz’s arrest, and the subsequent encounter, are still ongoing, and the final report will be submitted after the completion of all legal formalities.
