Berhampur: A dacoity accused was injured in a police encounter after he allegedly attacked cops with a bomb and opened fire while trying to escape in Odisha's Ganjam district on Friday.

The injured accused has been identified as Kalia alias Ghanashyam Behera, a resident of Naitada Sahi under Purushottampur police limits. He was wanted in connection with multiple cases of robbery and dacoity.

According to police, acting on a tip-off about his location, Kulamani Sethi, Inspector-in-Charge (IIC) of Purushottampur police station, along with his team, launched an operation to apprehend him.

During the operation, the police chased Kalia, who was riding a motorcycle with an associate, along the forest road between Kinari and Chunchipada under Kodala police station limits.

While attempting to evade arrest, Kalia suddenly hurled a bomb at the police team and opened fire. In response, Inspector Sethi fired at the accused in what police described as an act of self-defence.

Kalia sustained a bullet injury to his right leg. He was immediately taken to the Community Health Centre (CHC) at Kodala for treatment and was later referred to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur.

Further investigation into the incident is underway.