Bhubaneswar, Oct 25: One Maoist was killed during an exchange of fire with security personnel in Odisha’s Kandhmal district on Friday. One AK 47 rifle has been recovered during the combing operation.
Acting on intelligence input, an operation comprising two SOG teams was launched in Budanai Reserve Forest under Baliguda police limit in Kandhmal district on Wednesday, according to a police statement.
In the course of the operation, there was an exchange of fire between the SOG jawans and Naxals at around 9.00 am on Friday. During a search of the area, police recovered the body of one male Maoist cadre (in uniform) along with one AK 47 rifle.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that the deceased was a senior cadre of CPI (Maoist) belonging to Kandhmal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh Division (KKBN division) of Maoists operating in Kandhmal district.
Further search of the area and operation are underway, the statement said.
Five Maoists were neutralized in Odisha in 2024.
DGP Odisha has congratulated Kandhmal Police, Intelligence Directorate and Operational Headquarters for the achievement.