Sambalpur: In a police encounter early Sunday morning, a notorious criminal was wounded in Odisha’s Sambalpur district.
The incident occurred near the Sudunga forest area, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Sadar police.
Md Irfan, a resident of Sunapali, suffered a bullet injury to his left leg and was promptly transported to the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla for medical care, where he is currently being monitored.
According to law enforcement, a patrol unit from the Sadar police station stopped a motorcycle carrying Irfan and two accomplices along the canal road. While the police successfully arrested the two associates, identified as Md Arman and Deepak Kumar, Irfan attempted to escape into the forest after firing three shots from a homemade pistol. In response, the police fired two controlled shots in self-defense, injuring Irfan in his left leg.
Following the shootout, authorities seized a firearm, live ammunition, three spent cartridges, and the motorcycle utilized by the suspects. A forensic team was dispatched to the scene shortly after to gather blood samples, physical evidence, and the recovered firearm to assist in the ongoing investigation.
A police spokesperson revealed that Irfan has been implicated in over 24 criminal cases, including armed robbery, extortion, theft of high-voltage electric wires, and the illegal trade of drugs, particularly codeine syrup, across Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, Raurkela, and Baragada districts. The spokesperson added that police acted on intelligence suggesting that Irfan was planning a significant criminal operation in the area.
