Security Forces Gun Down Woman Maoist In Kandhamal

Phulbani: A woman Maoist cadre was killed in an encounter with security personnel inside the forest in Tumudibandh block of Odisha’s Kandhamal district on Wednesday morning.

Her identity was not immediately known.

Informing mediapersons, additional director-general, operation, R.P. Koche, said a joint combing operation was launched by the Special Operations Group and District Voluntary Force personnel in the morning following a tip-off about presence of Maoist cadre there. While combing the forest, the Maoists opened fire at the security personnel to which the latter retaliated.

In the cross-fire, a woman Maoist was killed while the others managed to escape.

The security personnel later seized four guns, three grenades and several Maoists articles from the forest. The body of the woman will be sent for post-mortem.

The ADG said combing has been intensified in the area following the incident.