Jajpur/Cuttack, April 15: Two highway robbers were killed in an encounter with the police at Balichandrapur police limits in Jajpur district late last night. Police also captured another member of the gang.

A constable sustained injuries while he tried to nab the goons. The injured constable, Pankaj Mallick is being treated at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack and his condition is stated to be critical. Mallick sustained severe bruises in his hand and chest after he fell from the jeep during the chase.

According to Mallick, about six motorcycle-borne miscreants had looted Rs 20,000 and gold ornaments from a businessman, Nirmal Kumar Samal, around 8pm yesterday near Balichandrapur. Samal, a resident of Anyaspur Bari, was retuning home on a motorcycle from Balichandrapur bazaar.

Hearing his scream for help, local residents rushed to the spot prompting the robbers to flee.

“One of the robbers was nabbed by the villagers and he gave us leads regarding the whereabouts of the others. Following this, a trap was laid. But the other robbers sensed our plans and began firing at us,” said Mallick.

The police returned the fire and the encounter continued for about an hour. Amulya Pradhan (23), one of the members of the robber gang, who had fallen from the motorcycle during the chase, died on the spot while another, Rajkishore Gochhayat alias Budhia (30), was badly injured. He died after being admitted to the SCB Medical College and Hospital.

Both the injured robbers were initially rushed to the nearby Balichandrapur community health centre and later shifted to SCB Medical College and Hospital where the post-mortem was conducted today.

“We chased and killed two robbers and managed to arrest one. But the other three managed to flee,” said Asit Ranjan Mohanty, inspector-in-charge of Balichandrapur police station.

The arrested robber has been identified as Jahir Khan (29) of Kendrapara town.

Police sources said both Gochayat and Pradhan have criminal antecedents and the duo hails from Kendrapara district. “This criminal gang belongs to Kendrapara district,” said Jajpur SP D.S. Kuttey.

The arrested robber is wanted in 17 cases including murder, dacoity, snatching and robberies in a particular police station in Kendrapara district.

The deceased Rajkishore and Amulya were wanted in six and eight criminal cases, respectively, in Kendrapara district.

“We are trying to apprehend the remaining three accused. We suspect they were involved in many cases in Jajpur district,” said Kuttey.

A few months ago, former inspector–in-charge of Balichandrapur police station Aswini Kumar Sahu was seriously injured after being shot at by a highway robber gang.