Talcher: A dreaded criminal reportedly involved in several loot cases was nabbed after a police encounter near Lingaraj mines in Talcher of Angul district late last night.
The criminal, identified as Badal Rout of Nalagunda village in Bhadrak has sustained bullet injuries in right thigh in the encounter. He was initially rushed to the Talcher hospital and later shifted to the SCB hospital in Cuttack after his condition deteriorated.
Acting on a tip-off, a team of special squad of Talcher police raided a place near Linagarj mines where Badal was planning to execute a robbery along with an associate. Finding police at the spot, Badal fired at them. In retaliation, cops fired back injuring him critically in the thigh. Several loot and dacoity cases are pending against Badal and police were on a lookout for him, said sources.
However, Badal's associate managed to escape taking advantage of the darkness.
On Sunday night, hardcore criminal Bilu Khan was arrested after an encounter near Derjang area in Angul district.