Meghani, a sharpshooter with the Sitesh Manchekar gang, was among seven gangsters whose face had been splashed on `wanted' posters by the Thane police. According to Thane Commissioner of Police Bhujangrao Mohite, an informant tipped them off that Meghani would be arriving at his Thakurwadi residence in Dombivli after midnight today.

Led by DCP ZOne IV Suresh Ahire, a team including Thane ACP (Crime) L Godbole, PI Datta Ghule and the informant kept a watch near Meghani's residence. ``At around 3.00 am, the informant pointed out Meghani walking toward his flat with a travel bag slung across his shoulder,'' said the CP.

``When the officers called out Meghani's name, he pulled out two country-made pistols and fired two rounds with both his hands,'' added Mohite.

One bullet hit Godbole, who escaped injury as he was wearing a bullet proofjacket. ``When Meghani refused to surrender, the officers opened fire,'' added Mohite. Meghani, with five bullets in him, was rushed to Shastri Nagar hospital, but was declared dead before admission.

Two trousers, a diary with names, numbers and visiting cards of builders, a book of Mohammed Rafi songs and a Lover's Jokes book split out of the bag of Meghani had been carrying. And two countrymade pistols, three 9 mm live cartridges in a plastic bag inscribed MMZZ, 9 KF 91/8 bullets and eight 12 bore live cartridges, 51,228 in cash, a pager, two gold rings and chains with a Saibaba locket, a watch and two 12 bore live cartridges were found on his person. ACP Subhash Rathod and police station in-charge PI S Shinde are handling investigations.

Meghani was accused in the killing of Mallesh Shetty, Waldhuni Sena vibhag pramukh on October 6.