Indian health minister Das dies hours after being shot by police

An Indian health minister has died after being shot in the chest by a police officer as he arrived for a function in the eastern state of Odisha.

State minister Naba Das, 60, was shot at close range as he stepped out of his vehicle in the town of Brajarajnagar, 330km north-west of Bhubaneswar.

He was flown to hospital but died from his wounds. His attacker was captured and arrested.

“A single bullet had entered and exited the body, injuring the heart and left lung and causing massive internal bleeding and injury,” the hospital said. “The injuries were repaired, and steps were taken to improve the pumping of the heart.

“Despite the best of efforts, he could not be revived and succumbed to his injuries.”

The government said a three-day mourning period has been declared. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said: “I am shocked and distressed over the very unfortunate demise of Minister Sri Naba Das.

“He was a grass-roots person and was loved and respected by all, cutting across parties and sections of people.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “Saddened by the unfortunate demise of minister in Odisha government, Shri Naba Kishore Das Ji. Condolences to his family in this tragic hour.”

Police named the man they arrested as Gopal Das, an officer unrelated to the victim, who was seconded to the area for the minister’s visit.

He was an assistant subinspector posted at Gandhi Chak police station.

He reportedly used his service pistol to shoot Mr Das.

A special police team has launched an investigation into the attack.