Imagine a criminal shooting dead eight policemen and injuring seven others after staging an ambush. The shocking incident happened earlier this week at Bikaru village in Chaubepur area of Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. The police team had gone there to arrest the kingpin of the gang, Vikas Dubey, who comes with a notorious record of crime.

After the attack, which caught the police team unawares, the perpetrators reportedly took away two rifles and three pistols from their victims.

The incident only goes to show the kind of impunity that criminal gangs have enjoyed in parts of the country. Arun Bothra, commenting on the issue, said, "Except naxal or terror cases never seen such a tragedy. Very sad and shocking."

Offering condolences, Ramnath Kovind, President of India, said, "Tributes to the 8 brave policemen, including 4 officers, who laid down their lives in performance of their duty in Kanpur. My heartfelt condolences to their families. I salute their valour, courage and supreme sacrifice. The seven policemen injured in this fierce encounter with criminals deserve praise."