Kendujhar: Notorious criminal Arjun Pradhan was injured in a police encounter under Nandipada police limits in Odisha’s Kendujhar district on Friday morning.
The incident occurred near Asiya village in Moram Kha forest area, roughly 3 km from the station, after police teams tracked his movements based on intelligence inputs.
According to police sources, Pradhan opened fire at the pursuing personnel during the early-morning operation, prompting retaliatory firing. He sustained a bullet injury to his right leg. A country-made pistol and live ammunition were recovered from his possession at the scene. He was initially rushed to Anandapur hospital for treatment and later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Kataka as his condition was critical.
Reports indicate he will be taken into remand and questioned once he recovers.
Police identified Pradhan as the prime accused in a high-profile jewellery shop robbery involving a gold trader in Bantal village under Soso police limits on September 27. The trader was shot during the heist. Pradhan, a native of Dasamania village under Jakhapura police limits in Jajpur district, has an extensive criminal record, with reports varying between more than 20 and over 40 cases registered against him across various police stations in Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand.
Sources further stated that the operation was led by senior officials including the Additional SP and SDPO of Nandipada, following surveillance conducted over the preceding days on the instructions of the SP. While Pradhan was apprehended after being injured, police continue searching for associates linked to his criminal network.
Further details are awaited as the probe progresses.