Notorious criminal held after police encounter in Odisha’s Puri

Bhubaneswar: A notorious criminal was injured in police encounter in Odisha’s Puri town today.

The injured criminal has been identified as Pinaki Baral alias Pinu, son of Bidyadhar Baral, of Jagannath slum under Baselisahi police limits in Puri.

He had been booked in several cases of crime at various police stations in the Holy Town, sources said.

There was an intelligence input that Baral along with an aide was on his way to commit armed robberies in Puri. A police team led by Baselisahi Inspector In-Charge (IIC) Manas Barik responded to the intelligence inputs, sources added.

There was an exchange of fire between the police team and Baral at Sankheshwar jungle near Loknath temple in the Holy Town at around 3.40 pm in the afternoon. Subsequently, Baral was nabbed with bullet injuries on his left leg, said a police officer.

“The injured criminal was rushed to Puri District Headquarters Hospital (DHH). A pistol and two-rounds of live ammunition were seized from the criminal. Baselisahi police Sub-Inspector B. Majhi also sustained injuries in the incident,” added the official.

The police have also seized a two-wheeler and a mobile phone from the injured criminal.

Baral had earlier been booked in as many as 11 cases of crime including attempt to murder, robbery and extortion at various police stations in Puri, sources said.