Bhubaneswar/Jharsuguda: A man wanted in 17 criminal cases was injured in an exchange of fire with police in Odisha’s Jharsuguda district Monday morning, officials said.
The encounter took place around 6 am when a special team of Orient police station launched a search and combing operation in Amdara forest following intelligence inputs about the presence of Bunty Prasad, a resident of the Orient area, police said.
According to police, Prasad allegedly opened fire at the team after realising that he had been surrounded.
The personnel retaliated in self-defence, during which a bullet struck his left leg.
Prasad was initially admitted to Kaliyakhani Community Health Centre for preliminary treatment and later shifted to Jharsuguda District Headquarters Hospital, SP G Raghvendra Reddy said.
“His condition is stable,” the SP said.
Prasad has been involved in 17 criminal cases, including those related to robbery, extortion, assault and firearms offences, Reddy said.
A 7.65 mm Mauser pistol, three empty cartridge cases and a motorcycle were seized from the encounter site, he said.
The SP said the district police maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards organised crime and illegal arms trafficking.
He appealed to the public to inform the police if anyone attempts to extort money.
PTI