**Cuttack/Ganjam:** As Odisha police has tightened up its belt against the criminals and anti-social activities, three notorious criminals have been nabbed following exchange of fire in two separate encounters by Cuttack Commissionerate Police and Ganjam police in Thursday late night.
In the Cuttack incident, two most wanted criminals Kala babu and Alekha Routray (members of infamous Tito gang) were involved in the recent deadly attack on suspected terror operative Abdur Rehman’s brother Tahir. Both were also wanted in a case registered at Jagatsinghpur.
Acting on a tip-off, special team of Commissionerate Police comprising of Chauliajang PS IIC Ajay Kumar Das, SI Gyana Ranjan Mohapatra and ASI C.R Balbantray swooped down on them while they were sitting at an isolated place on Mahanadi river bed. Alekha Routray started firing at the police team and Kala Babu hurled bomb. In retaliation, police fired at them in defence.
While Alekha Routray sustained bullet injuries in both of his leg, Kala Babu was injured in left leg. Both of them have been admitted to SCB medical for treatment.
Talking to media, Cuttack DCP Akhilesvar Singh informed, “Investigating into the Jagatpur firing case, we had earlier arrested 6 persons having link with the Tito gang as per the preliminary investigation. During their interrogation, names of Kala Babu and Alekha Routray cropped up. When our police team of Chauliaganj tried to catch them, they fired and hurled bomb, following which we had to retaliate in self defence and they were injured. Hospitalised, but condition is out of danger. Two more names have also been revealed during investigation. Very soon they will also be arrested.”
In the Ganjam incident, another history-sheeter Santosh Behera sustained bullet injuries in Rambha police encounter. However, his associate could manage to escape. The encounter took place at around 4 am.
Santosh was rushed to Chhatrapur Hospital and is being treated there. He is involved in many criminal cases registered at different police stations.
**Also Read: ** [Al-Qaeda Operative Abdur Rehman’s Brother Tahir Shot In Cuttack](https://www.ommcomnews.com/public/al-qaeda-operative-abdur-rehman-s-brother-tahir-shot-in-cuttack)
**Also Read:** [Murder Bid On Abdur Rehman’s Brother: Cuttack DCP Says Probe On, Cause Not Yet Ascertained](https://www.ommcomnews.com/public/murder-bid-on-abdur-rehman-s-brother-cuttack-dcp-says-probe-on-cause-not-yet-ascertained)