Patna, May 27 (IANS) Under ‘Operation Langda’, the Patna Police carried out an encounter in Masaurhi block and shot an alleged criminal during a police action near Charma Mor on Wednesday morning.

According to an official, the injured accused has been identified as Ajay Paswan, also known as “Badal”, a resident of Darweshpur under the jurisdiction of Maner police station in Patna.

He sustained a gunshot injury in his leg during the encounter and was admitted to a nearby hospital for treatment. Police said a pistol, a country-made firearm (desi katta), and a motorcycle were recovered from the spot.

Another accused, Ajay Yadav, was also arrested during the operation.

Authorities claim around 20 criminal cases are registered against him.

Investigators stated that Ajay Paswan was allegedly the mastermind behind the Rs 27 lakh robbery of a CMS company cash van under the jurisdiction of the Gopalpur Police Station on May 13.

In that incident, five armed criminals riding motorcycles allegedly intercepted the van and looted cash at gunpoint.

Police records indicate that Ajay Paswan is wanted in several serious criminal cases, including eight bank robberies, extortion, and murder.

Officials said he had been absconding for a long time and was being actively tracked by law enforcement agencies.

Earlier, on May 19, police had injured another robbery accused, Nitish Kumar, during an encounter connected to the same case.

During that operation, police recovered looted cash, mobile phones, and weapons. While probing this robbery case, police also arrested three other accused, Suraj Pandey, Aditya Kumar, and Ravi Kumar.

Information obtained during their interrogation reportedly helped police trace Nitish Kumar and, later, Ajay Paswan.

According to an official, when police teams moved to apprehend the accused, they allegedly opened fire, prompting retaliatory action from the police.

Authorities said further investigation into the robbery network and involvement of additional accomplices is underway.

Earlier, on Tuesday, Khagaria police and Bihar STF arrested Buddin Mian during an encounter in Khagaria. He was wanted in more than 15 criminal cases, including murders, robberies, and rape.

–IANS

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