Bhubaneswar: A massive anti-Maoist operation, using drone surveillance, is underway in Charmal and Naktideul areas of Sambalpur in Odisha.
The Special Operation Group (SOG) and District Voluntary Force (DVF) are conducting the combing operation amid reports about suspicious movements of rebels from Chhattisgarh taking refuge in these forests. These forces are coordinating ground and aerial search strategies to prevent any Maoist regrouping or infiltration.
Aerial reconnaissance using drones is being conducted over Sagajuri forest area to detect the whereabouts of suspected Maoist operatives, sources said.
A senior police officer involved in the operations described it as an area domination exercise, part of ongoing offensive, search, and combing efforts in Maoist-affected areas of the state.
Intensified counterinsurgency offensive in the Maoist stronghold in Chhattisgarh saw five more Maoists being neutralised in Bijapur district on Saturday. This has reportedly driven Maoists to scatter and seek shelter in nearby forest regions, including Rairakhol in Odisha.