Cuttack: A Maoist was killed in an exchange of fire with Special Operation Group (SOG) jawans in Budanai reserve forest area of Kandhamal district today.
On receipt of an intelligence input, an anti-Maoist operation comprising two teams of Odisha’s elite Special Operation Group (SOG) was launched in Budanai reserve forest under Baliguda police station of Kandhamal district on October 23, police officials said.
In the course of the operation, an exchange of fire between the SOG and Naxals erupted this morning at around 9 AM. Following the encounter, when the security personnel conducted a search of the area, they recovered the body of one male Maoist cadre (in uniform) along with 1 AK 47 rifle, they said.
Preliminary inquiry revealed that the deceased was a senior ranked cadre of CPI (M) belonging to Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh Division (KKBN division) of Maoists operating in Kandhamal district.
Further search of the area and operation is under progress. Director General of Police (DGP) Y B Khurania has congratulated Kandhamal police, intelligence directorate and operational headquarters for the achievement.
During 2024, till date, five Maoists have been neutralized by security forces in Odisha.