Odisha minister Maheshwar Mohanty operated upon; out of danger

Mohanty last night sustained bullet injuries on his left arm and back, as his attackers opened fire at him

Odisha Toursim and Culture Minister Maheshwar Mohanty was today operated upon and the bullet lodged in his ribs removed after he was shot at by assailants in his Puri constituency.

The condition of the 59-year-old minister is stable and "he is out of danger," hospital sources said.

The minister was in the intensive care unit of the private hospital after the surgery by a team of four doctors.

Mohanty last night sustained bullet injuries on his left arm and back when the attackers, who were apparently following him on a two-wheeler, opened fire at him in a narrow lane near his house in Puri, police said.

He was rushed to a hospital in Puri and subsequently shifted to Bhubaneswar.

Superintendent of Police, Puri, said investigation was in progress and some people were being interrogated.

A host of leaders including Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik visited the hospital and wished him speedy recovery.

Patnaik has asked the police to take steps to apprehend the attackers at the earliest.