Dreaded criminal Bhabagrahi Panda was injured in an encounter with police at the Haridaposhi forest under the Tigiria police limits in Athagarh sub-division of Cuttack district late on Monday night.
He was initially admitted to the Athagarh hospital and later shifted to the SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack in a critical condition.
According to police sources, acting on a tipoff about the presence of Panda in the forest, the Tigiria police reached the spot to nab him. Realising the arrival of policemen, Panda opened fire at them.
The police retaliated by firing back in which Panda sustained bullet injuries on his two legs.
The Tigiria PS Officer-in-Charge was reportedly injured in the exchange of fire.
Several criminal cases, including bombing and attempt to murder, are pending against Panda at various police stations, the sources added.