BERHAMPUR (ODISHA): Five Maoists were killed in a
fierce encounter with security forces in a forest on
the border of Odisha's Ganjam and Gajapati districts
on Wednesday.
At least two security personnel were also injured in the exchange of fire in Bhaliagada jungle under
Mohana police station area, police said.
"We have received information about the death of
five Maoists during an exchange of fire in the
jungle. The bodies are yet to be recovered as the
operation is still on," DIG of police (southern range) R K Sharma said.
The slain ultras belonged to a group headed by
Maoist leader Sabyasachi Panda, he said.
Panda, who was recently expelled from the CPI
(Maoist), had formed the Odisha Maobadi Party.
Although Panda was present in the camp during the operation jointly conducted by the Special
Operation Group and District Voluntary Forces, his
whereabouts were not known immediately, the DIG
said.
Superintendent of police (Gajapati) C S Meena said
the operation was launched in the jungle after specific information about movement of Maoists.
Meena is coordinating the operation with
superintendent of police (Ganjam) Ashish Singh.
Five Maoists killed in encounter in Odisha - The Times of India