Jajpur: In a major achievement for Odisha Police, dreaded gangster Syed Usman Ali, alias Tito, was nabbed today following an encounter near Chandikhol in the district today.

Police sources said Tito and two of his associates were caught by the cops after exchange of fire this afternoon.

The dreaded criminal was nabbed after an encounter carried out by the Special Task Force (STF) of the State Crime Branch.

The criminal opened fire at the police when police tried to nab him.  In retaliation, police opened fire following  which he sustained gunshot injuries on his legs.

Tito suffered injuries in his leg and was rushed to Badachana Community Health Centre (CHC). Latest report says he has been shifted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.

“Tito was involved in more than 50 cases pertaining to tender fixing. All district SPs, Range IGs and DIGs have been asked to inform about the cases pending against Tito and his associates at different police stations coming under their respective jurisdictions,” Crime Branch ADG Santosh Upadhyay told reporters.

A team of Crime Branch officials led by DIG Himanshu Lal had picked him up from his house in Kendrapara district earlier in the day. The team had to open fire on him when he tried to flee near Chandikhol here.

Tito, who was allegedly running a crime syndicate from his cell in the jail, was last arrested from Kolkata in April 2006 in connection with murder of a contractor. He has faced trials in as many as 38 criminal cases that vary from murder to extortion.

Most of the cases pertain to murder, dacoity, extortion, kidnapping and tender fixing.

He was released from Choudwar Jail on bail on September 15, 2010. The alleged gangster, who is accused of heading a well-knit crime syndicate, was arrested by police in Kendrapara. He was sent to jail again.