Three injured in midnight firing at Hunsur village; sheep-lifters flee, abandoning bike  

Mysuru: Three shepherds were seriously injured after a gang of suspected sheep thieves opened fire on them at Gurupura village (Tibetan Camp-1) in Hunsur taluk late last night.

The injured, identified as Govindaraju, Chunchanna and Bheema, had come from the Sira region of Tumakuru district to graze their sheep. All three sustained bullet injuries to their legs and thighs.

Govindaraju suffered two bullet wounds and was shifted to the Surgical Block (Stone Building) of K.R. Hospital, where he is scheduled to undergo surgery today. Chunchanna and Bheema also sustained gunshot injuries.

According to the Police and villagers, the same gang had stolen four rams from the area two days ago. Suspecting that the thieves might return, the shepherds remained alert.

Around 1 am, when the gang came back to steal more sheep, the shepherds tried to catch them.

The thieves then opened fire using country-made guns and fled. They had arrived on two motorcycles but abandoned one of them (KA-09-KD-2322) at the spot while escaping.

More than five shepherds from Sira had come to the Hunsur-Gurupura area with around 800 sheep. They were engaged in grazing the animals, clearing grass and preparing silage in large quantities.

The injured shepherds said, the gang members were carrying two country-made guns and cartridges. After the attackers fled, they alerted the Police and villagers, who rushed to their help.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Superintendent of Police Mallikarjun Baladandi said, the number plate on the abandoned motorcycle was fake. “We are tracing its owners using the chassis number and have already obtained definite leads. The arrests will be made soon,” he said.

The SP also visited the spot this morning and took stock of the investigation’s progress. The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of Hunsur Rural Police Station.

The Police have launched an investigation to identify and arrest the attackers.