Bhuvneshwar: In a dramatic confrontation in Odisha's Kendujhar district, cow smugglers opened fire on police officers attempting to halt their illegal activities. The incident occurred in Kulabhakuni village under the Harichandanpur police station.

According to Additional SP Dillip Nayak, the police had received a tip-off about illegal cattle transportation and conducted a raid on a forest road in Kulabhakuni village last night. During the operation, five cattle-laden trucks were stopped, leading to a shootout between the police and the smugglers.

The raid, carried out by the Harichandanpur PS staff and a special squad, targeted smugglers planning to transport cattle from the Kaliahata area. The authorities seized several vehicles, including four pickup vans and one Mahindra XUV, and rescued 25 cattle. Five individuals were apprehended in connection with the illegal activity.

During the raid, as the smugglers attempted to flee, they began firing at the police. The officers responded in self-defense, resulting in one smuggler, Arif Khan from Samantatpur village, sustaining gunshot wounds to both legs. Khan was initially treated at CHC Harichandanpur and DHH Keonjhar before being referred to SCB Medical College in Cuttack. His condition is reported to be stable. Additionally, two police personnel were injured and treated at CHC Harichandanpur.

The police recovered two country-made firearms from the smugglers. Two cases have been filed under various sections of the IPC, the Arms Act, and the Cruelty to Animals Act at Harichandanpur and Pandapada police stations.

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