Keonjhar: A wanted criminal, Arjun Pradhan, was injured in an encounter with police near Asiya village in Odisha’s Keonjhar district. He sustained a bullet injury to his right leg after opening fire at the police, which led to retaliatory firing.

The exchange of fire took place as police were pursuing the wanted criminal. Pradhan was initially taken to Anandapur Hospital for treatment. He was later shifted to Kataka as his condition was critical.

According to reports, Pradhan is allegedly involved in more than 20 criminal cases registered in Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand. Police had been searching for him in connection with several criminal activities across the three states.

He was the prime accused in a robbery involving a gold trader in Bantal village under Soso police station limits on September 27 this year. The trader was shot at during the robbery.

Pradhan hails from Dasamania village under Jakhapura police station limits in Jajpur district. Several cases have been registered against him at different police stations in Odisha and other states.