Sambalpur, Aug 19: A dreaded criminal, Md Samad, was critically injured during a police encounter in Sambalpur on Monday night. Police fired two rounds at him, injuring his left leg. He was immediately shifted to VIMSAR, Burla, for treatment.
Samad, wanted in several murder cases with more than 20 criminal records across various police stations, was intercepted along with his brother Md Wasim while travelling on a bike. Acting on a tip-off, police chased the duo. During the pursuit, Samad was shot in the leg, while his brother managed to escape. Police recovered a bike and a gun from the spot.
According to sources, Samad had long been on the radar of Sambalpur police for his involvement in multiple serious offences, including a murder case registered at Sambalpur police station.
This is the second major encounter in Sambalpur in recent months. On April 13, notorious gangster Sitaram Sarangi was injured in an exchange of fire with police near Rangiatrika in Gobindapur. Acting on intelligence inputs, police chased Sarangi, who opened fire at them. In retaliation, he was shot in the left leg. He too was rushed to VIMSAR for treatment.
Police seized a pistol, bullets, a bike, and ₹1 lakh cash from Sarangi’s possession. Reports suggest that more than 25 cases have been lodged against him in different police stations.
Additional SP Shasank Sekhar Beura stated that in both cases, the accused were nabbed following exchange of fire and subsequently sent for medical treatment at VIMSAR.
