Cuttack: The kingpin of an inter-state gang of looters, Sachin Pawar alias Bablu was arrested following an exchange of fire with police in Naraj Bazaar area of Cuttack district Tuesday late night.
Bablu sustained bullet injuries on his right leg during the police encounter and has been admitted to SCB Medical College and Hospital for treatment. Three policemen who also received injuries during the gunfight with the criminal have been admitted to hospital.
Acting on a tip-off about the movement of Bablu and his two associates in Naraj, a team of Choudwar police, officials of the special squad raided the area at around 3 AM. In a bid to escape the arrest, Bablu opened fire at the cops. Cops retaliated, injuring the criminal leg and subsequently nabbed him. However, his two associates managed to flee the spot.
Earlier on Monday night, eight members of Bablu's gang were arrested while they were trying to loot a gold ornament shop in Cuttack.
As many as 15 cases of crimes are pending against Bablu in different police stations across the State. The gang run by Bablu had been carrying out various criminal activities like loot, snatching in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Puri, Rourkela, Angul, Talcher, Baripada, Berhampur and Rourkela, said sources.