Bhubaneswar: Intensifying the drive against left wing extremists (LWE) ahead of Lok Sabha and Assembly elections in Odisha, the state police have foiled a Maoist attack in Bargarh district.
Based on intelligence input about gathering of armed Maoists for carrying out subversive activities, a searching and destroy operation was launched by Odisha police teams comprising of teams of SOG and DVF in bordering areas of Bargarh and Balangir districts.
When operational teams were combing in Gandhamardhan forest area on Monday evening, sudden unprovoked firing came upon them from Maoists side. In order to save their lives, operational parties also retaliated and started controlled firing after warning and appealing to Maoists, police said.
However, the Maoists managed to run from that area taking the benefit of forest and hilly terrain.
After the exchange of fire, that area was thoroughly searched and a large quantity of Maoists articles was recovered. Subsequent follow up operations are underway in these areas.
This was the second exchange of fire on Gandhamardan hill after a similar gunbattle on February 23.
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