Source: Google

By Dikhya Mohanty

Four Maoist cadres including two women were executed in an encounter with the security personnel in Odisha’s Kandhamal district.

Inspector general of police Amitabh Thakur informed that a team of Special Operation Group and District Voluntary Force policeman of Kandhamal district went on a combing operation at Sirla forest near Tumudibandh area of Kandhamal district.

There was also an exchange of fire between Maoists and SOG and DVF. The security forces were fired and also fired back in self- defence.

In the encounter that followed, the police killed four Maoists and a huge hoard of arms and ammunition has also been seized from the spot. There were around 35-40 armed Maoists in the camp when the encounter started.

During the search operation, the police team witnessed a large group of Maoists camping in the jungle area. The police tried to approach them and asked them to surrender but the Maoists started a heavy fire and launched grenades. Then the police fired back to which the Maoists fled, taking cover to dense forest.

When the firing stopped, the police found the bodies of four Maoists of Bansadhara Ghumsar Nagabali division which is active in that area.

Their identities are being verified. Police also seized six sophisticated weapons from the area including three SLR rifles, one INSAS rifle along with magazines.

The Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy congratulated the officers and Jawans for the successful operation by tweeting “Congrats to Officers and Jawans of Odisha Police on successful ops in Kandhamal. Their gallant action is much appreciated. Death of four Maoists confirmed. This strengthens our resolve to free our state from extremism and spur all-round development in the state”.