According to the police, the incident occurred at around 8.45 pm when a team led by police inspector Sunil Temkar from Nagpada police station engaged in combing operations ``chanced'' upon two suspicious looking characters loitering outside Crystal Hotel on Gilder's Lane.

The police then challenged the duo who reportedly took out arms and fired at the police who ``retaliated in self-defence''. Parkar, aged 38 years, received bullet injuries on eight different parts of his body. His accomplice, Bandya, however managed to flee the scene, police said. Parkar was rushed to Nair Hospital at Bombay Central but was declared dead before admission.