A deputy commissioner of police and an assistant inspector were injured on Monday when two armed dacoits attacked them during an attempted arrest in connection with a robbery case, officials said.
The injured officers have been identified as Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 3) of Pimpri-Chinchwad Dr Shivaji Pawar and Assistant Police Inspector Prasanna Jarhad of Chakan Police Station, they added.
According to the police, the incident took place at Chinchoshi village in Khed taluka of Pune district in the early hours of Monday.
One of the dacoits attacked the DCP with a machete. In retaliation, the DCP opened fire with his service revolver, injuring the dacoit in his leg, following which he was arrested, they said.
The police had received a tip-off about two dacoits hiding in Chinchoshi, Pawar said.
"The duo was part of a gang of five-six dacoits who allegedly stormed into a house in Bahul village, robbed the residents and seriously injured two persons last month. After receiving the tip-off, I, along with a team from Chakan Police Station, rushed to the spot and laid a trap to nab the suspects, identified as Sachin Bhosale and Mithun Bhosale," Pawar said.
"While attempting to arrest them, Sachin Bhosale attacked me with a koyta (machete), injuring me on the chest. In retaliation and self-defence, I fired two rounds, injuring him in the leg," he added.
Sachin Bhosale was arrested, while Mithun Bhosale managed to escape, Pawar further said.
During the skirmish, Jarhad also sustained injuries.
The injured officers and the accused are currently receiving treatment at a hospital.
Meanwhile, a case has been registered at Chakan Police Station against the accused under Sections 109, 132, and 121 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and relevant sections of the Arms Act.
DCP Shivaji Pawar had earlier investigated the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case in Pune following violence at Koregaon Bhima on January 1, 2018.
Further investigation is ongoing.