Bangalore: Dreaded militant Imam Ali, who made a sensational escape from police custody in March near Madurai in Tamil Nadu, and four of his associates, including a woman, were shot dead in an encounter with the police in the small hours of September 29, a top police official said.

City joint police commissioner J V Gaonkar said there was an exchange of fire between them and the militants holed up in a house in Sanjaynagar area.

The militants are involved in the Coimbatore serial bomb blasts and several other cases.

He said arms and ammunition were also seized from them.

Tamil Nadu police had launched a massive man-hunt for Imam Ali since his escape on March 7 while being taken to a prison after being produced in a court.

PTI