The Berhampur Police have delivered a crippling blow to the regional criminal syndicate operating across Ganjam district. In a high-stakes, dramatic shootout on Saturday evening, May 16, 2026, law enforcement officials successfully neutralized and arrested the highly feared and wanted criminal, Dipuna Nayak (also referred to by local units as Lipuna). The capture took place in the Lanjipalli area of Berhampur city following a fierce, close-quarters gun battle.
The tactical operation marks a major breakthrough for the Odisha Police, who had kept the seasoned history-sheeter under strict surveillance for an extended period due to his growing list of violent offenses.
The Catalyst: "Morning Crime, Evening Encounter"
The timeline leading up to the Berhampur encounter underscores a swift, relentless response by local law enforcement. According to official police briefs, Dipuna Nayak had brazenly orchestrated a sensational crime earlier that Saturday morning:
The Overbridge Attack: During the morning hours, Dipuna intercepted a local resident, identified as Shyam Behera, near the Gopalpur overbridge.
Attempted Murder: In a brutal display of violence, the history-sheeter allegedly attempted to murder Behera by throwing him off the overbridge structure.
The Police Response: Following the morning attack, specialized police units immediately mobilized, tracking the gangster’s escape routes through automated intelligence networks and field informers.
By Saturday evening, tactical teams closed in on his hideout location in Lanjipalli, cornering the suspect before he could flee city limits.
Inside the Lanjipalli Shootout
The confrontation escalated rapidly into a live-fire situation when police units attempted to intercept the criminal. Realizing he was trapped, Dipuna chose resistance over surrender, opening fire directly on the approaching police personnel to break through their cordon.
Demonstrating exceptional control, the police team retaliated in defensive crossfire. During the brief but intense exchange of bullets, Dipuna sustained severe gunshot wounds to his leg, effectively ending the gun battle. No police officers were critically injured during the tactical interception.
Following his neutralization, specialized teams moved in to disarm the suspect, recovering a country-made firearm and live ammunition from the scene.
[Saturday Morning] ──► Pushes Shyam Behera off Gopalpur Overbridge (Attempted Murder)
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▼ (Police Mobilization & Tracking)
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[Saturday Evening] ──► Cornered in Lanjipalli ──► Opens Fire ──► Retaliatory Encounter & Arrest
Medical Transfer and a Criminal Legacy
Directly after the shootout, the injured kingpin was secured under heavy armed guard and rushed to the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur for emergency surgical treatment. Hospital authorities confirm that his condition remains stable under continuous police custody.
The arrest has sent strong shockwaves through the local underworld. Police records indicate that Dipuna Nayak is a primary target in the region's anti-organized crime drive, carrying more than 20 serious criminal cases registered against him across various police stations. His active criminal folder includes direct involvement in:
Bespoke contract killings and murder plots.
High-volume bomb attacks on commercial and residential spaces.
Armed extortion rackets targeting local businesses and infrastructure contractors.
Senior officials from the Ganjam police division stated that this successful operation reinforces the state's zero-tolerance policy against organized crime syndicates. With the gang leader safely neutralized and hospitalized under guard, investigators are preparing to file formal remand applications to systematically dismantle his remaining network of executioners and financial backers.