Bhubaneswar: In a major development in the armed robbery and shooting case involving a diamond trader in Berhampur, the Badabazar Police on Sunday arrested four more persons. The arrests are linked to the recent attack on trader Balaram Acharya in Sastri Nagar.
The accused have been identified as Mustakim Khan, Jalaluddin Khan, and Sheikh Afran — all residents of Khordha — and Akhil Ranjan Mohanty of Berhampur. With these latest arrests, the total number of people taken into custody in connection with the case has risen to eight.
During the operation, police recovered a pistol, two magazines, and four rounds of live ammunition from the accused.
According to reports, the gang had earlier opened fire at traders Balakrishna Achari and Sunil Sahu before escaping with diamonds reportedly worth Rs 3.9 lakh. The police had previously arrested three suspects and one accomplice during the initial phase of the investigation.
Efforts are currently underway to trace and recover the stolen diamonds, police said.
The investigation is ongoing.