Bhubaneswar: Three notorious criminals were injured in a police encounter in Lathikata near Rourkela, early Sunday morning. The suspects, who were part of a gang involved in multiple robberies, attempted to flee from a special team of Rourkela police, which prompted the officers to open fire.
The injured criminals were rushed to Rourkela Government Hospital for treatment. Five other gang members were arrested at the scene, and police seized three pistols and a motorcycle used by the accused.
According to police, the gang had been involved in several robberies in Koida and surrounding areas, including the theft of lakhs of rupees from transport companies and a robbery at Banaigarh where a businessman’s family was tied up and valuables were stolen.
Police have intensified efforts to track down other members of the gang still at large.
