Dreaded criminal Mohammad Imran alias Imu, the prime accused in a series of bomb explosions at the Bhanjanagar market on February 7, was nabbed by police after an encounter near Gandisula Chhak on Friday.

During the encounter, three police personnel also sustained injuries and were hospitalised.

Acting on a tipoff about the movement of Imu and his associate near Bhanjanagar, a special team of police led by Bhanjanagar PS IIC intensified patrolling near Soradevi Gandisula Chhak.

Police intercepted Imu and his associate, who were going on a bike through the area but the duo tried to give the cops a slip. Police chased them for some distance before opening blank fire but the accused hurled bombs at the police.

During the exchange of fire that followed, Imu sustained injuries on both  legs and was subsequently nabbed by police. However, his aide managed to escape the police dragnet.

Imu was initially admitted to Bhanjanagar Sub-Divisional Hospital and later shifted to the MKCG Medical College Hospital here.

Bhanjanagar SDPO Utkal Keshari Das said, “During the encounter, SIs Sabyasachi Malla, Nairanjan Das and Havildar Kali Gouda also sustained injuries and were admitted to Bhanjanagar Sub-Divisional Hospital. A 220 Pulsar bike, 9 mm pistol, live cartridges, five bombs and a mobile phone were seized from his possession.”

Notably, three bike-borne miscreants had hurled bombs at Iswar Shopping Mall, Jagannath Jewellers and Rebati Motors in Bhanjanagar on February 7.

Police said Imu is also the prime accused in bombing incident in Bhanjanagar in 2016 which he had carried out with the help of his associates Keshab Sahani and MD Jamir of Dharakote area. All three had been absconding after the incident. Besides, Imu is lso involved in several crimes.