Bhubaneswar, July 6: A man accused in multiple house-breaking and theft cases was injured in a police encounter during a recovery operation in Kendujhar district early Monday morning after he allegedly opened fire on police personnel while attempting to flee.

The accused, identified as Mohammad Nafis, had been arrested by Champua Police on Sunday from Majhigaon in neighbouring Jharkhand in connection with several burglary and theft cases registered in the Champua police station area.

According to police, Nafis was taken to the Patla forest on Monday morning to recover stolen articles that he had allegedly concealed there. During the operation, he reportedly led the police team to the location where the items were hidden.

Police alleged that while showing the spot, Nafis suddenly retrieved a firearm that he had allegedly hidden in the forest earlier and fired at the police team before attempting to escape. In response, the police retaliated in self-defence, during which Nafis sustained a bullet injury to his leg.

The injured accused was immediately shifted to Champua Hospital for treatment, where he is undergoing medical care. No police personnel were reported injured in the incident.

Investigators said Nafis was wanted in several cases involving daytime house-breaking and theft, in which he allegedly targeted locked houses by breaking open doors when residents were away. Police have launched a detailed investigation into the incident and are continuing efforts to recover the remaining stolen property and verify the accused's involvement in other criminal cases.

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