Constable Naresh Kumar and Home Guard Joginder Pal were patrolling the area around 4.30 a.m. when they spotted six youths and started questioning them.

DCP (east) Balaji Srivastava says even as the policemen stop-ped the youths, one of them took out a pistol and opened fire. The bullet did not hit anyone. The youths ran towards a house and finding it open locked themselves inside. The policemen chased them, and along with some residents, broke open the door of the house in Gali No. 16 in Kailash Nagar.

They overpowered one youth, later identified as Moradabad resident Anil. Five others, however, managed to escape. Before fleeing, they opened fire once again. This time, a bullet hit Swaroop, who was holding Anil captive. The shop-owner sustained injuries on his leg, but did not let go of Anil.