Kendrapara: A gangster wanted in 30 cases, including murder, was injured on Thursday morning following an encounter with police patrol squad in Patkura police limits.

The gangster injured in Thursday's encounter is identified as Partap Sahu, 40. The criminal fired at the police squad near Bhagabanpur village. The police opened fire at him in self-defence.

Acting on a tip-off, the police had conducted raids on the history-sheeter's hideout. The criminal all of a sudden opened fire at the police team. In retaliation, the police were forced to open fire at them. The gun battle had lasted for about five minutes. An improvised Mouser and two rounds of live cartridges, besides explosives, have been seized from his possession, said sub-divisional police officer Rajib Lochan Panda.

The criminal received gunshots on both legs. He has been shifted to Kendrapara district headquarters hospital, the police said.

The police had been in search of Sahu. He had mobilised a crime syndicate and unleashed lawlessness in the area. Sahu is involved in criminal cases, including attempt to murder, extortion, tender-fixing, illegal arms possession, the police said.

However, highway robbery and extortion figured at the top of his crime agenda. His area of operation was in Kendrapara and Jagatsinghpur districts.

The latest crackdown on lawbreakers has come in the wake of fast-deteriorating law and order situation in various parts of the district. The failure on part of the law-enforcing agencies in curbing the lawlessness had triggered public resentment.

On May 9, a hardened criminal was also injured in another gunfight with the police.