Puri: Police nabbed a notorious criminal following an encounter near Nabakalebara Road Ashram Chhak in the pilgrim city on Saturday night. Behera was wanted in at least 26 cases lodged against him at different police stations in the city.
Behera, a former Home Guard, is allegedly involved in several illegal activities such as loot and ‘supari’ (contract) killing. A Resident of Gokhasahi area in Puri, Behera had reportedly formed a gang to execute several crimes, sources said.
Acting on a tip-off about the movement of Behera, a police team raided a place near the Nabakalebara Road Ashram Chhak at around 1.30 am. On seeing the cops, the criminal opened fire at them.
However, Behera sustained bullet injury on his right leg after the police team fired in retaliation. Subsequently the injured criminal was rushed to the Puri hospital and later shifted to the SCB hospital when his condition deteriorated.
A live bullet, gun and motorcycle were also seized from his possession.
The Inspector In-Charge of Baseli Sahi police station Jibana Nanda Jena also got injured during the exchange of fire. More details are awaited.