Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu), Mar 18 (UNI) In a daring act, a retired sub-inspector of police (S.I) was hacked to death by an unidentified gang near Kaatchi Mandapam in Tirunelveli town on Tuesday morning.

Police said the deceased, identified as Zakir Hussain (60), was going to his house after offering prayers at a mosque when the assailants waylaid and attacked him with sickles indiscriminately.

He sustained multiple cut injuries in the murderous attack and died on the spot.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, Tirunelveli West, G.Geetha rushed to the spot and held an inquiry.

The body was removed to Tirunelveli Government Medical College Hospital (TMCH) mortuary for post-mortem.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the retired police official was murdered due to a land dispute, but a detailed probe is underway to ascertain the exact motive behind the murder and the perpetrators.

A large number of policemen were deployed at the sensitive areas and the TMCH as a precautionary measure in view of a tense situation.

Tirunelveli town police have registered a case and are searching for the assailants.

UNI GSM ARN