Baleshwar: A history-sheeter was apprehended by Baleshwar police late Thursday night after sustaining a gunshot injury to his leg during an exchange of fire with police personnel. The injured accused, identified as Lokesh Singh, a native of Bihar, is undergoing treatment at the District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) in Bhadrak.
Singh is a history-sheeter, and nine criminal cases, including dacoity, robbery and other offences, are pending against him at different police stations, District Superintendent of Police (SP) Pratyush Diwakar told the media. According to police, the incident occurred around 12.15am during night patrolling and motor vehicle (MV) checking.
The IIC of Simulia police station and his team received credible information that a group of seasoned criminals had assembled near Ada Canal under Simulia police limits and were allegedly planning to commit a dacoity at a house in Ada village. Acting on the information, a police team immediately reached the spot and found five persons gathered with two motorcycles. The suspects were allegedly engaged in suspicious discussions. On seeing the police team, the suspects attempted to flee on their motorcycles.
The police pursued them. During the chase, one of the motorcycles carrying Lokesh Singh and another person lost balance and skidded. While the other suspects managed to escape, Lokesh allegedly opened fire at the police team with a pistol in an attempt to evade arrest, posing an imminent threat to the lives of the police personnel.
Despite repeated warnings to surrender and drop the firearm, Lokesh allegedly continued to brandish the weapon. The police then resorted to controlled retaliatory firing, during which he sustained a gunshot injury to his left leg, SP Diwakar said. Lokesh was immediately apprehended and taken under police escort to the DHH in Bhadrak, where he was provided medical treatment. Police recovered and seized a pistol, one live round of ammunition and the motorcycle allegedly used by the accused.
During interrogation, Lokesh reportedly disclosed that he and his associates had assembled at the spot to plan the proposed dacoity at Ada. Police have launched an operation to trace and apprehend the associates who fled the scene. Further investigation is underway, Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Paresh Rout said.
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