Sambalpur, September 20 (Daily Kiran) : In Sambalpur, Odisha, a police encounter on Sunday left one suspect injured and another in custody. The incident occurred around 6:15 AM near Jungla village in the Rengali police station area. Authorities reported that a police team was conducting checks as part of the “Drug-Free Odisha” campaign when they received a tip-off regarding the illegal transportation of cough syrup in two vehicles.
Efforts to stop the cars led to the arrest of one driver, identified as Ashutosh Mendli, while the second vehicle managed to escape. Shortly thereafter, a speeding, unregistered car entered the area, prompting police to pursue it. The chase ended when the car crashed into a tree.
As the police approached the wrecked vehicle, the driver, identified as Pritam Biswal, allegedly fired at the officers. Reports indicate that he discharged four rounds. In response, police returned fire in self-defense, injuring Biswal in his right leg. He was subsequently taken to a hospital in Rengali for treatment.
During the operation, police confiscated 24 cartons of cough syrup from both vehicles, along with a pistol and ammunition found at the scene. Investigations are ongoing, with efforts to capture other key individuals involved in the drug trafficking network.
Just a week earlier, police in Sambalpur apprehended a wanted criminal following a similar encounter. Additional Superintendent of Police Ajay Kumar Mishra stated that the suspect, Irfan, was wanted in 24 criminal cases, including theft, robbery, and drug trafficking.
Irfan was reportedly on a motorcycle with two accomplices, Deepak Kumar and Mohammad Arman, when police attempted to stop them based on intelligence reports. While the two were captured, Irfan fled, leading to a police pursuit. During the chase, he allegedly fired three rounds at the pursuing officers. In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, Irfan was shot in his left leg and later apprehended.
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