In a bid to apprehend a man allegedly involved in illegal cattle transportation, police opened fire after he attempted to escape arrest, officials said on Wednesday.
The incident took place on Tuesday evening in Puttur taluk of Dakshina Kannada district when the accused, identified as Abdullah (40), a native of Kasaragod in Kerala, was transporting ten cattle in a vehicle, they said.
According to police, when signalled to stop, Abdullah allegedly sped away, leading to a chase spanning about 10 km.
During the pursuit, he reportedly rammed the police jeep from behind, prompting the sub-inspector to open fire, one round aimed at the vehicle and another that struck Abdullah in the leg, a senior police officer said.
He was immediately shifted to Wenlock Hospital in Mangaluru for treatment.
Another suspect accompanying him managed to escape, he said.
Police said Abdullah is a repeat offender, with a previous case registered against him under the Karnataka Prevention of Cow Slaughter and Cattle Preservation Act at the Bellare Police Station earlier this year.
A case has been registered, and efforts are on to trace the absconding accused, police added.