Kandhamal: A jawan of special operations group (SOG) was killed and six others sustained grievous injuries in a deadly ambush by a group of Maoists at Khamanakhol forest in Baliguda of Kandhamal district late on Sunday.
The deceased was identified as Laxmikant Jani, a native of Kalahandi district. The injured were first provided primary medical treatment at Baliguda hospital. Three among them were later shifted to Kandhamal district headquarters hospital in Phulbani and the other three seriously injured transported to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur.
The Maoists attacked the convoy of security personnel while they were returning from a combining operation. The SOG jawans fired more than 300 rounds and also lobbed grenades at the ultras during an exchange of fire after the ambush. It lasted for an hour, said IGP Amitabh Thakur.
Reinforcements have been sent and search operations are being conducted in the forest. Combing has been intensified, informed Kandhamal SP Pinak Mishra.