The incident took place shortly after the policeman's son and his friend attacked two neighbours, police said. Three persons, including the head constable Babasaheb Sahebrao Karpe (46), Rahul Vitthal Dhiwar (23) and his brother Vinod (24) were injured in the attack.

Head constable Karpe, his son Sachin (19) and Sachin's friend Uttam Janardhan Dhere (18) were arrested and charged with attempting to murder Dhiwar brothers and other neighbours.

Karpe had also lodged a cross complaint accusing Rahul Dhiwar, Vinod Dhiwar, Raja Landge and 25 others of attacking his residence.

Police said Rahul Dhiwar stated that he had a heated argument with Karpe over a trivial issue around 8 pm. Shortly after that, they added, Sachin Karpe and Uttam Dhere attacked the Dhiwar brothers with swords.

According to the police officials, a group of stick-wielding men gheraoed Karpe's house and indulged in stone pelting around 11.45 pm. They dispersed after Karpe fired a bullet in the air from his licensed 12 bore gun, they added.