Baleshwar: A notorious criminal, identified as Lokesh Singh, sustained serious gunshot injuries during an early morning police encounter in Odisha’s Baleshwar district.
The incident occurred near Ada Chhak under Simulia police limits.
According o sources, police tracked Lokesh and an associate, following intelligence reports about they were plotting a robbery, while on routine patrolling and attempted to intercept the duo. On noticing the police team, Lokesh attempted to flee and opened fire on the personnel. In self-defence, police retaliated, striking Lokesh in the left leg. His associate, however, managed to escape.
Lokesh was initially admitted to a nearby healthcare facility before being shifted to the Bhadrak District Headquarters Hospital for further treatment.
Police sources said that Lokesh, who hails from Bihar, is suspected to be connected to an inter-state criminal network operating across Bihar, Odisha (including Bhadrak and Baleshwar), and surrounding regions. The gang has reportedly been involved in various crimes, including illegal extortion (dada bati), robbery, snatching gold chains from women on public roads, and targeting ATMs across multiple areas.
Scientific teams have been deployed to examine the site and inspect the firearm recovered from the suspect to determine its origin.
