Hatadihi: Arjun Pradhan, a notorious criminal with a lengthy history, was injured during a police confrontation in Kendujhar district when he allegedly fired at law enforcement while trying to evade arrest. The incident also left two police officers injured.

Pradhan, from Dasha mania village under Jakhapura police jurisdiction in Jajpur district, suffered a gunshot wound to his right leg during the exchange near Asiya village, close to Chhenapadi Chhak. Initially treated at Anandapur Sub-Divisional Hospital, he was subsequently transferred to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Kataka for advanced medical care.

According to Dharmendra Kumar Santi, the inspector at Nandipada police station, Pradhan was taken into custody for a case linked to the Soso police station.

During questioning, he purportedly disclosed that he had concealed a weapon used in a robbery at Asiya village. The police escorted him to the location to recover the firearm, where he reportedly struggled with the officers, fired his weapon, and attempted to flee. In response, police returned fire, injuring Pradhan.

During the altercation, Ghasipura police sub-inspector Kalpataru Nayak and Nandipada inspector Balia Barik also sustained injuries. Authorities recovered a firearm, a live cartridge, and an empty cartridge casing from the scene. A forensic team from Bhadrak conducted an investigation at the site.

A case registered as (390/2026) has been filed at Nandipada police station. Officials noted that Pradhan is allegedly connected to a shooting and robbery incident on September 27 that targeted a gold trader in Bantala village, under the Soso police station’s jurisdiction. Anandapur SDPO Kamal Kumar Panda revealed that Pradhan has around 30 serious criminal charges against him across Odisha and other states. The police are also looking into the possibility of local residents being involved in the criminal activities, as three additional suspects who were with Pradhan managed to escape the scene.