Sambalpur: A notorious criminal suffered significant gunshot wounds to his left leg after police reportedly opened controlled fire in self-defense during an interception in Odisha’s Sambalpur district early on Sunday, officials confirmed.
The confrontation occurred near Sudunga Forest on Canal Road, within the jurisdiction of the Sadar Police Station.
Police identified the injured suspect as 36-year-old Md. Irfan, residing in Sonapali under the Dhanupalli police station area of Sambalpur district.
Authorities allege that Irfan has been implicated in over 24 criminal cases across various police stations in Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, and surrounding districts. The charges against him include dacoity, robbery, aluminium wire theft, burglary, and drug-related offenses.
Irfan, along with two accomplices—Md. Arman (28) from Ainthapali and Deepak Kumar (20) from Sonapali—was riding a black Bajaj Pulsar motorcycle with the license plate OD15 AB 3674 when they were stopped by a patrol unit from the Sadar Police Station around 5:45 am, according to police reports.
Police sources indicated that the suspects were allegedly en route to commit a wire theft in a nearby area under Sadar Police Station’s jurisdiction.
While two accomplices were apprehended, Irfan allegedly attempted to flee the scene. During his escape, he reportedly fired at police officers, prompting the team to respond with controlled gunfire in self-defense.
According to authorities, Irfan discharged three rounds from a homemade pistol, while the police returned fire with two rounds. Irfan was subsequently shot in the left leg and was rushed to VIMSAR Medical College in Burla, Sambalpur, for medical attention. Police recovered a pistol, ammunition, and three empty cartridges from the scene, in addition to seizing the motorcycle used by the suspects.
The Sambalpur Police have stated that an investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Notably, Odisha’s Director General of Police, Vinaytosh Mishra, recently instructed law enforcement across the state to adopt proactive measures against criminal elements to ensure public safety during the upcoming festive season.
