Police, Maoists Exchange Fire In Odisha’s Kandhamal

Phulbani: Heavy exchange of fire ensued between the Maoists and police inside a forest in Kandhamal district on Sunday.

Briefing media at the district police headquarters, Kandhamal SP Vinit Agrawal said, acting on a tip-off that Maoists had put up a camp inside Bireni forest in Gochhapada block, a joint combing operation was launched by Special Operation Group (SOG) and District Voluntary Force (DVF) in the morning.

“During the search operation, the Maoists opened fire at the security personnel who retaliated. During the heavy exchange of fire, Maoists managed to escape taking advantage of the dense forest cover. However, the security personnel intercepted a Maoist militia and busted a camp. They also seized two country-made guns, one radio, medicines and some food items,” the SP added.

During interrogation, the Maoist militia suspect informed police that there were about 8 to 10 Maoists in the camp who belong to KKBN (Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Boudh, and Nayagarh) Division.

Following the incident, the combing operation in the area has been intensified, the SP said.