Delhi Police arrested a wanted criminal carrying a reward of Rs 25,000 during a shootout in the national capital early on Monday, police said.

The shootout took place around 2.30 a.m. near Eros hotel in Nehru Place when a police team tried to stop the criminals.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Romil Baaniya told IANS that the police retaliated after the criminals, Akbar and his brother-in-law Asif, started firing to evade arrest. The police intercepted them while they were going on a bike to Govindpuri area via Nehru Place to meet one of their associates. 

"After the shootout near Nehru Place Metro Station, Akbar, was arrested, while Asif managed to escape," he said.

The officer said Akbar, 22, was a notorious robber and snatcher of the Satte gang.

"He is wanted in many cases of robbery, theft, snatching, extortion and attempt to murder," he said.

Baaniya said that two policemen who were hit in the gunfight escaped without injuries as they were wearing bullet-proof jackets. Police fired 5 rounds, while the accused opened 8 rounds of fire on the police team.

"Akbar told police he is a resident of Nand Nagri area and had started his criminal career in 2013 with Asif after he married the latter's younger sister. Akbar was arrested in eight cases and wanted in 14 cases," he said.

Asif had been arrested in 16 cases and was wanted in 22 cases. 

Baaniya said that Akbar, Asif and another of their associates, Mukram, carried a reward of Rs 25,000 each on their head for opening fire at a police party to evade arrest in Pul Prahaladpur in south Delhi in December 2016.

The police are on the lookout for Asif and Mukram, the officer said.