Keonjhar: In a major crackdown on illegal cattle transporting mafias, police conducted a raid on the illegal transportation of cattle and seized of four vehicles laden with cattle at Pithagola village under Harichandanpur police station in Keonjhar district.
The raiding team also apprehended five individuals allegedly involved in the illegal activities. They have been identified as Arif Khan, Sk Haqim, Sonu Mohammad, Deepak Kalindi, and Debu Kalandi, police said.
Twenty-five cattle were rescued during the operation. The seized vehicles include three pickup vans and one Mahindra XUV. Two country guns were also seized by the police from the smugglers.
During the raid, the mafias opened fire on the police forces, leading to a retaliatory response. Arif Khan sustained gunshot injuries on both legs and is currently undergoing treatment at SCB Medical Cuttack. Two police personnel also sustained injuries in the exchange of fire.
Two cases have been registered under various sections of the IPC, Arms Act, and Cruelty to Animals Act at Harichandanpur and Pandapada Police stations in the district.
