Though the incident has fuelled speculation that the unidentified youth is the same person who reportedly attacked nine policemen in south and south-west Delhi between July and September, DCP (south-west) P.K. Bharadwaj says these incidents are unrelated to last night's incident.

Besides, the youth did not attempt to take away the policemen's weapons or other valuables -- a common feature in all the previous incidents, including the ones at police chowkis in Moti Bagh and IIT Gate two months ago, in which two policemen were killed in mysterious circumstances.

``We are investigating the case from all angles, including the possibility of personal enmity,'' said Bharadwaj. Head Constable Dharam Singh and Home Guard Parmanand were on night duty at a secluded Ghuman Gera village police chowki in Jaffarpur Kalan yesterday. While Parmanand was sitting near the door, Dharam Singh was further down the road.

According to Dharam Singh's sketchy information to his colleagues, the youth had walked up to the chowki and shot at Parmanand. He was seriously injured in the neck.

When Dharam Singh heard the shot, he ran towards the chowki. Parmanand had already collapsed and was bleeding profusely. Dharam Singh said he raised an alarm and gave chase to the youth.

The latter turned around and fired at Dharam Singh. The bullet blew away a portion of the head constable's left ear. Dharam Singh then flashed a message on his wireless set, but the youth managed to escape.

Dharam Singh is still in a state of shock and is yet to give a detailed statement, while Parmanand is unable to speak. So far, therefore, the police do not have a complete description of the youth.

DCP Bharadwaj says preliminary investigations have revealed that the assailant had used a country-made pistol. A bullet usually used in a .315 bore caliber pistol has reportedly been found.