Hatadihi: Wanted history-sheeter Arjun Pradhan was injured in a police encounter in Kendujhar district after allegedly opening fire at police personnel while attempting to escape custody. Two police officers were also injured in the incident. Pradhan, a native of Dasha mania village under Jakhapura police station in Jajpur district, sustained a bullet wound to his right leg during the exchange of fire near Asiya village, close to Chhenapadi Chhak. He was initially admitted to Anandapur Sub-Divisional Hospital and later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Kataka for further treatment. According to Nandipada police station inspector Dharmendra Kumar Santi, Pradhan was arrested in connection with a case registered at Soso police station.
During interrogation, he allegedly revealed that he had hidden a firearm used in a robbery at Asiya village. Police took him to the spot to recover the weapon, where he allegedly scuffled with officers, opened fire and attempted to flee. Police personnel fired at him in retaliation, injuring him. Ghasipura police station sub-inspector Kalpataru Nayak and Nandipada inspector Balia Barik sustained injuries during the scuffle. Police seized a firearm, one live cartridge and an empty cartridge case from the scene. A scientific team from Bhadrak visited the spot for investigation.
A case (390/2026) has been registered at Nandipada police station. Police said Pradhan was allegedly involved in a September 27 shooting and robbery targeting a gold trader from Bantala village under Soso police station. Anandapur SDPO Kamal Kumar Panda said around 30 serious criminal cases were registered against Pradhan in Odisha and other states. Police are investigating whether local residents were involved in the alleged criminal plot. Three other suspects who had accompanied Pradhan reportedly fled the scene.
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