BERHAMPUR: Two wanted criminals landed in police dragnet following an encounter under Khallikote police limits on Wednesday. Susant Pradhan of Boinda in Ganjam district and Rajesh Reddu of Visakhapatnam were wanted by police for their involvement in Haridamula toll plaza loot case on July 2 and several other criminal cases.
Around 3 am on Wednesday, Khallikote IIC and his team were patrolling the area when they found a car parked near Sanaghati. Suspecting foul play, police proceeded towards the car but seeing them approach, the two occupants of the vehicle - Susant and Rajesh - opened fire at them. Three cops, including the IIC, sustained injuries but they retaliated following which, bullets hit legs of the criminals. Police overpowered the two and seized two pistols loaded with three rounds of bullets and `2.25 lakhs in cash from them. They were initially admitted to a health centre in Khalikote and later shifted to MKCG Medical where their condition is stated to be stable.
Police said the two were part of the criminal gang that looted `25.30 lakh from the employees of Gorapalli toll plaza near Haridamula Square at gun point. The employees Debanshu Singh and Saibaba Palen were on their way to deposit the cash in a private bank, in a car when the motorcycle-borne criminals intercepted their vehicle at gun-point. They then fled the spot with the cash. On Monday, police nabbed six members of the gang from different parts of the district.
