Delhi police shoot 'bomb suspect'

Armed police surrounded the building after receiving a tip-off

A top Islamic militant suspected of involvement in a wave of bomb attacks on Indian cities has been killed in a shoot-out in Delhi, police say.

The man identified as Atif was one of two suspects killed by police in a "fierce exchange" of gunfire at a house in the Muslim district of Jamia Nagar.

One Indian policeman died and another was injured in the operation, while a third suspect was captured alive.

At least 20 people died in a multiple bomb attack on Delhi last week.

A large contingent of policemen had surrounded the four-storey house in the Delhi suburb after receiving a tip-off that suspected militants were inside.

Serial bombings

Delhi Police Commissioner YS Dadhwal said that one of the men killed was a senior leader of the Indian Mujahideen, a group which claimed responsibility for a series of bombings in the capital last week.

Police are under pressure to catch the bombers

The group, which is relatively unknown, is also believed to be behind similar attacks this year in the cities of Jaipur, Bangalore and Ahmedabad.

"The police were firing at the fourth and top storey of the building," one eyewitness said.

"A lot of people had gathered around the building."

Delhi police had earlier issued sketches of three men who they believed were involved in the attacks.

"Suspected militants... opened fire on the police when we approached the house," a senior Delhi police officer told reporters.

The officer, Karnail Singh, said the two militants were killed during the ensuing gun battle, while one was arrested and two others managed to escape.

About 90 people were injured when the five devices went off in busy shopping areas within minutes of each other.

On Thursday, India revealed plans to upgrade its intelligence-gathering ability following the spate of bombings.

A new centre will be established to research surveillance and preventative measures and become a focus for counter-terrorism strategies.