Bhubaneswar, May 22: Dreaded criminal Bikram Keshari Das, 35, alias Pupuni Das, was shot dead by an unidentified person near Market Chhak on Grand Road in Puri, 69km from here, today.

Eyewitnesses said that Pupuni was shot at while he was standing outside the market. One bullet hit him in the head and another in the stomach. He was rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital and later referred to a Bhubaneswar-based private hospital. But he succumbed to injuries on the way to Bhubaneswar.

Sources said Pupuni, a native of Pathuria Sahi of Puri, had around 20 criminal cases against him, including cases of attempt to murder and extortion. Pupuni had also been the victim of an acid attack last year. Though the cops are yet to find out the cause of the attack, sources said infighting may have triggered the incident. “We have started a probe into the matter. The attack may have taken place because of infighting within his gang,” said Puri top cop A.K. Sahu.

However, police sources said Pupuni had been involved in running an illegal gambling unit in Puri.

“He was involved in gambling in the area and chances are that his opponents planned the attack to eliminate him,” said a senior police official of Kumbharpada police station.

The murder has left the residents of Puri town panic-stricken.

“The town is witnessing a spurt in criminal activities and criminals have even started challenging the police. The police should immediately arrest the accused,” said resident Ajay Pradhan.