The Digapahandi police nabbed another notorious criminal, Jay Pradhan, after an encounter at the Changudidei Hill in Digapahandi block of Ganjam district late on Thursday night.
On a tipoff about the movement of Pradhan and one of his associates in the area, a special team of the police laid a trap to nab the miscreants.
Subsequently spotting the police team on the spot, Pradhan opened fire at the cops and tried to flee from the spot.
In retaliation, police fired back at Pradhan, injuring him on his left leg. However, Pradhan’s associate managed to give the cops a slip.
Pradhan was initially admitted to the Digapahandi health centre and was later shifted to the MKCG Medical College Hospital in Brahmapur after his condition deteriorated, said sources.
Three police personnel, including the Digapahandi PS Inspector-in-Charge, were injured in the gunfight with criminals. Police seized a country-made gun, a few bombs, explosives and a bike from Pradhan’s possession.
More than 20 cases of dacoity, drug trading, murder and kidnapping are pending at various police stations in Ganjam and Khordha districts against Pradhan’s name. A manhunt has been launched to nab Pradhan’s associate, who escaped the police dragnet, informed a police official.