Police, Maoists Exchange Fire In Koraput

“While the combing operation was underway, the Maoists opened fire on the security personnel to which the latter retaliated. The cross-fire continued till 1.15 pm. The security personnel later busted a Maoist camp inside the forest and seized huge cache of arms and ammunition and several Maoist articles,” Singh said.

Though the SP said that about 15 top Maoist leaders are hiding in a nearby village, he did not specify the name of the village for security reasons.

Asked whether the exchange of fire would continue, he said the security personnel have been asked to stop the operation and return to the headquarters since it would be difficult to track down the Red Rebels at night.