Following a tip-off about their presence in Chauliaganj area, a special squad of police rushed to the spot. The duo then opened fire at the cops to escape arrest to which police fired in retaliation. Both Babu and Routray have sustained bullet injuries on their legs and admitted to hospital.
In a separate incident, dreaded criminal Santosh Behera was nabbed following an encounter near Rambha in Ganjam district in the wee hours today. Police arrested Behera following an exchange of fire, though Behera's associate managed to give the cops a slip.
According to police sources, Behera has been admitted to Chhatrapur Sub-divisional hospital. A pistol, live ammunition and a bike have been recovered from his possession.
Behera is a native of Khandadeuli village under Rambha police limits and has a long track record of crimes. He is accused of being involved in as many as 16 different cases of dacoity, bombing and attempt to murder, informed police.
Acting on a tip off, a team of Sadar Police and special squad intercepted Mehtab and one of his accomplices near the Kendrapara-Gandakhia road but the criminals open fired at the cops. Police personnel retaliated and a bullet hit the right knee of Mehtab.
However, the accomplice of Mehtab manged to give police a slip. Later, police seized one 9mm pistol, Rs 2000 cash and a mobile phone from Mehtab's possession.
As per reports, around 40 cases are reportedly pending against Mehtab at different police stations in Kendrapara, Balasore, Bhadrak, Jajpur and Jagasinghpur districts.
According to sources, Hrusikesh was part of a gang of dacoits who struck the house of Nabaghana Parida of Juania in Aul yesterday night. The robbers looted cash and gold ornaments worth lakhs of rupees from the house and attacked three of the family members before fleeing the spot.
Acting on a tip-off about the loot, a police team swung into action and launched a massive patrolling. The cops later confronted with the dacoits near Gorapur vigilance office.
In a bid to escape, the looters opened fire at the police team. The police team fired in retaliation in which Hrushikesh was injured. However, four other members of the dacoit gang managed to escape.
Hrusikesh and the other gang members are reportedly habitual looters and involved in a series of loots in the area.