Keonjhar, July 6 (UDN): A notorious inter-state thief, wanted in more than 30 criminal cases, was injured in a police encounter in Odisha’s Keonjhar district on Sunday after he allegedly opened fire on a police team during a recovery operation.

The accused, identified as Mohammad Nafis, a resident of Jharkhand, sustained a bullet injury to his right leg in the exchange of fire. He was initially admitted to the Champua Sub-Divisional Hospital and later shifted to the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Keonjhar. Hospital authorities said his condition is stable.

According to police, Nafis was arrested earlier in the day from Majhigaon in neighbouring Jharkhand. He had been on the most-wanted list of the Keonjhar Police for his alleged involvement in a series of thefts and burglaries across Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts. Investigators said he would allegedly commit thefts in Odisha before fleeing back to Jharkhand to evade arrest.

During interrogation, Nafis reportedly revealed that several stolen articles had been concealed in the Patala forest under the Champua area. Acting on the information, a police team escorted him to the location to recover the stolen property.

Police said that while leading the team through the forest, Nafis allegedly pulled out a country-made pistol that had been hidden there and fired at the police in an attempt to escape. The police retaliated in self-defence, during which Nafis was shot in the leg and subsequently overpowered.

Following the encounter, the accused reportedly guided the police to the hidden cache of stolen articles. Officers also seized the firearm allegedly used in the attack, along with other incriminating materials from the spot.

Police said Mohammad Nafis has more than 30 criminal cases registered against him in Odisha and Jharkhand. Efforts are underway to recover all stolen property linked to the accused and investigate his possible involvement in other inter-state theft cases.

Further investigation is in progress.