PATNA, Nov. 23 -- With the formation of the new government in Bihar, police action against criminal activities has intensified. In a second operation against criminals in Begusarai in 72 hours, a notorious criminal identified as Shivdutt Rai, 27, was injured in an encounter with Bihar Special Task Force (STF) in Begusarai district early on Saturday. Rai, said to be a resident of Mokama, was wanted in a number of cases, including those of arms smuggling. Confirming the incident, ADG (Operations) Kundan Krishnan told HT that the STF received a tip-off that Shivdutt was about to reach the Shaligram and Malhipur villages under the Sahebpur Kamal police station limits to buy weapons. Upon receiving the information, the STF team, along with the Begusarai police, began a search operation and cordoned off the area. As soon as the police reached near Saligram village, about six criminals riding on two bikes suddenly started firing indiscriminately at the police. The police retaliated in self-defense. Shivdutt, a resident of Banahara under the jurisdiction of Teghra police station, sustained injuries during the exchange of fire. A bullet hit his thigh and he fell to the ground. Currently he is undergoing treatment under police custody. Police recovered a country made carbine, live and empty cartridges from his possession. Taking advantage of the opportunity, his five other accomplices escaped in the dark. Based on the interrogation of the injured Shivdutt, police raided the house of Manoj Kumar Gupta in the area. Seven country made pistols, a large quantity of cough syrup, Rs.4 lakh cash and other illegal items making for weapons were recovered during the searches of the Gupta's house. Reportedly, the criminals fired six to seven rounds, while the police fired three rounds in self-defense. Begusarai SP Maneesh said that on the night of September 2, 2022, criminals had opened fire at the Banhara house of Sarpanch Meena Devi in Dhankaul Panchayat under Teghra police station area. In the attack, the sarpanch's younger son Avnish Kumar was killed and his elder son Rajneesh Kumar was injured. Shivdutt and his gang members were named, after which the STF was looking for him....