Phulbani: After the gunning down of top Maoist leader Rakesh Sodi in Malkangiri, Special Operation Group (SOG) personnel and the Maoists engaged in heavy exchange of fire in Kandhamal district on Wednesday afternoon.
Following information that some Maoists were camping in Pahiraju forest under Gochhapada police limits, a team of SOG personnel began a combing operation in the forest in the afternoon, Kandhamal SP Pratik Singh told the media.
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During the operation, the Maoists opened fire on the SOG personnel who immediately retaliated. However, the ultras later fled the area.
“The SOG personnel later came across a camp and seized a country-made gun and a number of Maoist articles. Combing operation has been intensified in the area,” he added.
