The injured criminals have been identified as siblings Krushna Jena and Sunil Jena.
Acting on a tip off about the movement of the duo in the area, a special team of Aska police followed them. Subsequently, after finding the cops on the spot, the duo opened fired at the police and attempted to flee the spot.
In retaliation, police fired back at them as a result of which both of them received bullet injuries on their right legs and were nabbed.
Both the injured were initially admitted to Asika hospital and later shifted to MKCG hospital in Berhampur, added sources.
“They were moving towards Pallimala Chhak when our police team followed them and tried to stop them. Later they opened fired four rounds of bullets at our team,” Aska SDPO, Suryamani Pradhan said.
Police have seized a motor cycle, two pistols, five rounds of live ammunitions and Rs 17,500 from their possession. Some police personnel also suffered minor injuries during the encounter.
As per reports, the criminals were involved in the murder of brother of Kharia Sarpanch and BJD leader Sadanand alias Bahan Lenka and were on the run.
Sadanand was shot dead near Aska college square in Ganjam district on the night of December 31.
Acting on a tip off, police conducted raids at Samantarapalli village in the district and nabbed Jhasaketan.
According to sources, Jhasaketan had escaped from police custody on May 18 last year while he was being taken for production before Angul court for hearing in connection with the murder of four persons in 2016.
Reportedly, Jhasketan was arrested for his involvement in the brutal murder of two youths, Rajkishore Sahoo and Hiranakshya Sahoo of Kushakila village under Jarpada police limits in Angul district in 2016.
During interrogation, Jhasketan also confessed to the brutal murders of his aunt and nephew whose bodies were subsequently recovered from the back side of a school building.
Sources said, a polygraph test was also conducted by the police and he was later sent to Angul jail.
Acting on a tip off about the movement of Pradhan and his associate in the area, a special team of Digapahandi police laid a trap to nab the duo. Subsequently, after finding police on the spot, Pradhan opened fired at the police and tried to flee the spot.
In retaliation, police fired back at Pradhan injuring him on his left leg. Pradhan’s associate, however, managed to give the cops a slip.
Pradhan was initially admitted to Digapahandi health centre and was later shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur after his condition deteriorated, said sources.
Meanwhile, three police personnel including the Inspector-In-Charge (IIC) of Digapahandi police station were injured in the face-off.
Police have seized a country-made pistol, a few bombs, other explosives and a bike from Pradhan's possession.
As per reports, more than 20 cases of dacoity, drug dealing, murder and kidnapping are pending at various police stations against his name. A manhunt has been launched to nab the absconding associate of Pradhan, informed a police official.
In another incident in the State, Jeypore police arrested hardcore criminal SK Javed Akhtar after an encounter near Irrigation colony in Jeypore town late Thursday night.
As per reports, Guria received a bullet injury in his left leg and was rushed to SCB Medical College and hospital.
Guria was released from the jail a few days ago. But he again got involved in committing crime. Sources said several criminal cases including Jagatpur bombing case have been pending against Guria. Meanwhile, the cops have launched a probe to elicit more information in connection with other cases.
Sources said Bilu received bullet injuries in his left leg and was rushed to Angul hospital. He was later rushed to SCB hospital in Cuttack while his condition is stated to be stable.
As per reports, several criminal cases have been pending against Bilu's name at Banarpal, Nalco and Angul police stations.
Apart from this, police sources claimed Bilu was allegedly involved in loot incident at Sardaspur petrol pump and a robbery near Balaramprasad area of the district a few days back.
Meanwhile, the cops have launched an interrogation to elicit more information in connection with other cases related to Bilu.
According to reports, Muna was injured during the exchange of fire with police and has sustained bullet injury in his right leg. He was admitted to a hospital in critical condition.
Sources said Muna was the main accused in the attack on the Officer in Charge (OIC) of Gocchapada police station.
Acting on a tip off, the police team had gone to the forest to arrest Muna. When they intercepted him, the accused fired three rounds of bullets at them. In retaliation, police fired a bullet which hit him on his right knee.
Later, Muna was admitted to the Phulbani hospital in critical condition.
More than 11 cases are pending at various police stations in the district. A non-bailable arrest warrant was also issued against him, informed Kandhamal ASP.
Two members of the gang have been arrested while another key associate is still absconding. The accused have been identified as Sushant Mohanty and Jiban Jyoti.
Senior officials of Commissionerate police informed that both the accused used to work for dreaded criminal Bala Gajendra aka Suresh, who was earlier arrested after an encounter from Nuagaon area on September 17.
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4 cases including loot, firing and snatching have been registered against Sushant Mohanty while police have seized a toy gun, mobile phones and other weapons from the gang.
The highway robbers gang mostly used to target people at Chandaka, Tamando and other parts of the highway between Cuttack and Khurda.
The gang members used high-powered bikes to decamp with cash and other valuables after terrorizing the victims with the help of toy pistols.
A few days back, the villagers of Singakhunta had lodged a complaint with police regarding theft of money and cycle from the locality. However, when they saw the minor boy from Bhadrak frequently coming to their village to beg, they turned suspicious and nabbed him.
Assuming the boy to be a thief, the localites then tied him to a pole in the blazing heat and thrashed him mercilessly until police arrived and rescued the boy.
As per reports, police have taken the boy into custody while further investigation in this connection is on.