Four Maoists Gunned Down In Odisha’s Kalahandi-Kandhamal Border

Bhawanipatna: Four Maoists were killed in an encounter with the security personnel inside Sirki forest in Bhandarangi area, bordering Kalahandi and Kandhamal, on Wednesday.

Kalahandi SP B Gangadhar said they had received intelligence input about a group of 40 Maoists camping inside the forest and accordingly, a joint combing operation was launched by Kalahandi police, Special Operation Group (SOG) and the District Voluntary Force (DVF) personnel on Tuesday evening.

While the operation was underway on Wednesday, the Maoists suddenly opened fire on police around 11 am.

During the fierce encounter, which lasted for about half an hour, the Maoists managed to flee the area. Later, the security personnel found bodies for four Maoists.

The SP also informed that a SOG jawan, who sustained bullet injuries, has been admitted to the hospital.

Stating that more teams of SOG, DVF and CRPF have been sent to the area for combing and search operation, he said that the identity of the Maoists killed in the encounter is yet to be ascertained.