Phulbani: A Maoist was neutralised during an exchange of fire with security forces in Budanai Reserve forest under Baliguda police limits in Odisha’s Kandhmal district, an official release informed on Friday.
An operation was launched by 2 teams of SOG jawans, an elite Commando unit of Odisha Police, on October 23 on the basis of an intelligence input, leading to the exchange of fire at 9 am. Body of a male Maoist cadre in uniform along with an AK-47 rifle was recovered during the subsequent search operation in the area.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that the deceased was a senior-ranking cadre of CPI(M) belonging to Kandhmal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh Division (KKBN division) operating in Kandhmal district. Further combing of the area is underway, it added.
Odisha DGP Y B Khurania has congratulated Kandhmal Police, Intelligence Directorate and Operational Headquarters for the operation.
Five Maoists have been neutralised in Odisha this year.
In February, a Maoist cadre carrying cash award of Rs 5 lakh on his head was gunned down by police during an exchange of fire at Kakerkupa area of Kandhamal district. A District Voluntary Force commando, who was part of the team combing the area, also suffered bullet injuries in his hand during the fight.