Nuapada, Jan 22: The Maoists death toll in the joint operation by Odisha Police, Chhattisgarh Police and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel near border areas of Nuapada district and Gariabandh district of the neighboring state has reached 27, said an official.
However, the bodies of as many as 16 red rebels along with a huge cache of arms, ammunition, and IEDs, including one SLR rifle have been recovered from the scene. A massive search operation by the security forces is currently underway in the area.
In the joint operation which began on Sunday night (January 19), two women Maoists were neutralized on Monday (January 20). Later in the early hours of Tuesday, an exchange of fire ensued between the Maoists and the Special Operations Group (SOG) in which several other red rebels were gunned down.
A team of 10 security forces, including three Special Operation Groups (SOGs) of Nuapada district, two Special Police Teams (E-30) of Chhattisgarh and five CRPF teams were involved in the operation. For the first time, four to five drones were also used in the operation to trace the movements of the militants.
Odisha cadre Central Committee member Maoist Jayram killed was gunned down in the encounter. He was carrying a bounty of Rs 1 crore on his head. Additionally, another Maoist cadre Gunkha, who was carrying Rs 25 lakh bounty, was also killed in this encounter.
On the other hand, jawan of Cobra battalion and a SOG jawan were seriously injured in the gunfight. Of them, one was shifted to Raipur and the other to Visakhapatna by special helicopter for medical treatment.
For the past few months, the Union Home Ministry has intensified the anti-Mao operation in of Chhattisgarh in which security forces have gunned down over 80 ultras.
