Thrissur: In a shocking act of violence, a gang attacked a police team in Nellankara, Mannuthy, in the early hours of Friday, leaving four officers injured and three police vehicles vandalised. Armed with machetes and iron rods, the gang launched a brutal assault when officers responded to a disturbance complaint. Six of the accused have been arrested and will be produced before court via online proceedings.

The incident took place around 3.00 am at Vailoppilly Nagar, where Altaf Jamal and Ahad Jamal—brothers with past drug-related charges—had hosted a party to celebrate Ahad’s birthday. Over 15 people reportedly attended the gathering, where drugs and alcohol were allegedly consumed. The group initially gathered at the brothers’ house but moved to an abandoned nearby building after their mother opposed the drug use. Fights soon broke out among the group.

When Altaf and Ahad returned home, a quarrel with their mother escalated. She alerted the police, and a patrol team arrived on the scene. But the gang turned violent, attacking the officers without warning. Some gang members fled, while others, led by Brahmajith—a murder-accused—joined by Ashlin Antony, Evin Antony, and Sharbel, launched a coordinated attack.

Reinforcements also came under attack. One officer suffered a fractured jaw after being punched by Altaf, a trained boxer. Another officer was slashed during the melee. The injured officers—Grade SI Jayan, Senior CPO Aju, and CPOs Shanoj and Shyam—are undergoing treatment.

Thrissur City Police Commissioner R Ilango, who visited the scene, said, “While the goons behaved like goons, the police acted like police.”

The six arrested accused were taken to Mannuthy police station and later shifted from Thrissur District Hospital to the Medical College Hospital for further treatment. Some had sustained injuries during internal fights.

Police have registered cases under sections including attempted murder and destruction of public property. A hunt is on to trace the remaining gang members who escaped.