Jharsuguda encounter: Wanted criminal Bunty Prasad arrested after exchange of fire in Amdarah forest
Synopsis
Jharsuguda police cornered a wanted criminal allegedly linked to 17 serious cases — including attempted murder — in a dense forest at dawn, only for him to open fire on officers. The controlled response, two arrests in a single day, and an ongoing festive-season crackdown together signal a sharpened police posture in Odisha's Jharsuguda district.
Key Takeaways
Bunty Prasad , wanted in 17 serious criminal cases , was arrested by Jharsuguda police on 19 October after an exchange of fire in Amdarah forest .
Prasad opened fire on police; officers returned controlled fire, hitting him in the left leg .
An illegal firearm and a motorcycle were seized from Prasad at the scene.
He was treated at Khaliakani Community Health Centre before being shifted to Jharsuguda DHH .
In a separate raid the same day, Brajarajnagar police arrested another criminal and seized two country-made pistols and ammunition.
Odisha Police have launched a special drive against habitual offenders ahead of the festive season.
Jharsuguda district police in Odisha arrested a wanted criminal on Monday, 19 October, following an exchange of fire in the Amdarah forest under the Orient police station area. The suspect, identified as Bunty Prasad, a resident of Hanuman Nagar within Orient Police Station limits, was shot in the leg during the confrontation and subsequently overpowered at the scene.
How the Operation Unfolded
According to a senior police official, a special team from the Orient police station received credible intelligence at around 6:00 am on Monday indicating that Prasad was sheltering in the dense undergrowth of the Amdarah forest. Acting on the tip-off, officers cordoned off the area and launched a systematic combing operation.
'Acting swiftly on the tip-off, the police personnel cordoned off the perimeter and launched a meticulous combing operation. Trapped and realising he was cornered, Bunty Prasad attempted to shoot his way out, opening sudden fire on the advancing police party,' the police official stated.
The police team returned controlled fire in self-defence. A bullet struck Prasad in his left leg, bringing him down. He was arrested immediately at the scene.
What Was Recovered
An illegal firearm was recovered from Prasad's possession, and his motorcycle was seized by the police. Prasad is reportedly wanted in connection with 17 pending serious criminal cases, including attempted murder and Arms Act violations registered at Brajrajnagar and Orient police stations.
Medical Treatment and Custody
Following the arrest, Prasad was first taken to the Khaliakani Community Health Centre for initial treatment and subsequently shifted to the Jharsuguda District Headquarters Hospital (DHH) for further medical care. He remains in police custody.
Separate Arrest and Festive Season Drive
In a separate operation on the same day, the Brajarajnagar police of Jharsuguda district arrested another criminal and seized two country-made pistols along with ammunition following a raid. Notably, the Odisha Police have launched a special drive targeting habitual offenders to prevent violence during the ongoing festive season. This is part of a broader law-enforcement push that has seen multiple arrests across the state in recent days.
Point of View
Two seizures of illegal firearms, all within a single day in one Odisha district — the pattern is not coincidental. The Odisha Police's declared festive-season crackdown is a direct acknowledgement that organised criminal networks exploit the seasonal surge in public gatherings and cash movement. The key question is whether this operational tempo is sustained beyond the festive window, or whether habitual offenders simply lie low and resurface in January. With 17 pending cases against Bunty Prasad alone, the real accountability test lies not in the arrest but in securing conviction.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bunty Prasad and why was he wanted?
Bunty Prasad is a resident of Hanuman Nagar in Jharsuguda, Odisha, reportedly wanted in connection with 17 pending serious criminal cases, including attempted murder and Arms Act violations registered at Brajrajnagar and Orient police stations. He had allegedly been evading law enforcement for some time before Monday's arrest.
What happened during the encounter in Amdarah forest?
Jharsuguda police cornered Prasad in the Amdarah forest after acting on early-morning intelligence. When officers closed in, Prasad allegedly opened fire; police returned controlled fire in self-defence, wounding him in the left leg before arresting him at the scene.
What did police recover from Bunty Prasad?
An illegal firearm and a motorcycle were recovered from Prasad's possession at the time of his arrest in the Amdarah forest on 19 October.
Was anyone else arrested in Jharsuguda on the same day?
Yes. In a separate operation, the Brajarajnagar police of Jharsuguda district arrested another criminal and seized two country-made pistols along with some ammunition during a raid on Monday.
Why has Odisha Police launched a special drive against criminals now?
Odisha Police have initiated a targeted drive against habitual offenders to prevent incidents of violence during the ongoing festive season, when large public gatherings and increased cash movement can create security challenges.
