4 Maoists killed in encounter with security forces in Odisha

BHUBANESWAR: At least four Maoists were gunned down during an exchange of fire with security forces in a dense forest in Odisha's Kandhamal district on Sunday, a top police officer said.

Some rebels have also suffered injuries in the operation, Director General of Police (DGP) Abhay said.

Acting on a tip-off, a team of Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel and District Voluntary Force (DVF) officers had launched a raid in the forest in Tumudibandha area of Kandhamal district early in the day, he said. As the security personnel approached their hideout, the Maoists opened fire and a gun battle ensued, leading to the death of the four rebels. A huge cache of arms and ammunition has been seized from the area, the DGP said. All four of them are suspected to be members of the Bansadhara-nagavali-ghumusar division of the banned CPI (Maoist), he said, adding that a massive combing operation is underway in the area. Kandhamal SP Prateek Singh, who rushed to the site along with other senior police officers, said a woman cadre was among the slain Maoists. Congratulating the security forces, Chief Secretary A K Tripathy said the operation has strengthened Odisha's resolve to fight extremism. "Congrats to Officers &Jawans of Odisha Police on successful ops in Kandhamal. This strengthens our resolve to free our state from extremism and spur all round development in the state," he tweeted.