"After a tip-off, excise inspector Varun Kumar was checking vehicles to nab the liquor smugglers," said Excise Assistant Commissioner DN Singh.
When he signalled an approaching truck to stop for checking, driver did not halt the vehicle and smugglers following the truck in a car fired at the inspector to give a cover to the truck, he said.
Kumar received bullet injury in right leg and was rushed by his staff to a nearby private hospital.
"An inquiry has been started into the so called shoot-out. Chief development officer has been deputed to probe into the matter and report," District Magistrate Vimal Kumar Sharma said.