In the early hours of this morning, Odisha Police launched an operation targeting one of the region’s most infamous criminals, 34-year-old Sitaram Sarangi, near Rangiatikra village in Sambalpur district.
The raid resulted in an exchange of gunfire when Sarangi attempted to evade arrest, shooting at law enforcement officials. Acting in self-defense, police retaliated, injuring Sarangi in his left leg. He was immediately taken to Kuchinda Sub-Divisional Hospital before being referred to VIMSAR, Burla, for further treatment.
Sarangi is implicated in over 25 criminal cases, including dacoity, robbery, and attempted murder across Sambalpur, Jharsuguda, and Sundargarh districts. Following his arrest, police recovered a 7.65 mm country-made pistol, cash amounting to ₹1 lakh, and a motorcycle without a number plate from the encounter site. A scientific team is examining evidence as investigations continue.
Sarangi’s long-standing criminal history has made him a high-priority target for law enforcement. Authorities are pursuing additional leads related to his activities, underscoring the critical nature of this successful operation.
