PUNE, June 16 -- A key member of the Tipu Pathan gang, Shahrukh alias Atti Rahim Shaikh (23), was shot dead by Pune city police during a retaliatory firing operation in Lamboti near Solapur in the early hours of Sunday. The operation was carried out by units 5 and 6 of the crime branch. Shaikh, wanted in several serious criminal cases including those under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA), had been absconding. He was tracked to Lamboti village, where he had been staying at his cousin's house for the past 20 days. According to police, a six-member crime branch team, along with local personnel from Mohol police station, reached the location around 3:30 am. With the help of a local woman, they approached the ground-plus-one structure where Shaikh was staying on the first floor with his wife and children."When the door was opened by Shaikh's wife, officers asked for his whereabouts. Sensing trouble, both started shouting. Assistant Police Inspector (API) Madan Kamble requested Shaikh to surrender, but his wife allegedly pushed the officer. Taking advantage of the distraction, Shaikh brandished a firearm and threatened to shoot," a senior officer said. Despite repeated warnings to surrender, Shaikh opened fire. In retaliation, police fired back. An initial round struck him in the thigh, but he continued to shoot while using his children as cover. In the ensuing exchange, Shaikh was critically injured. He was rushed to Solapur Government Hospital, where he died during treatment. Some policemen sustained minor injuries in the operation. "Shaikh fired at the police team while resisting arrest. Our officers returned fire in self-defence. He sustained injuries to vital organs and later died during treatment," said Pankaj Deshmukh, (ACP Crime), Pune. Police said five rounds were fired during the encounter, of which two were by the police. "The exact number of rounds fired is yet to be ascertained. We are waiting for the post-mortem report," said Nikhil Pingale, (DCP Crime). Shaikh was a notorious figure in Pune's underworld and had been booked in 15 criminal cases since 2011. These included charges of extortion, attempted murder, and land grabbing. He was earlier booked under MCOCA in 2021....