Security forces gun down four Maoists in Kandhamal

BERHAMPUR: Security forces gunned down four suspected Maoists, including two women, following an exchange of fire in Sirla jungle, under the Tumudibandh area of southern Odisha's Kandhamal district, early on Sunday. Four rebels, as well as some security personnel, are believed to have been injured in the hour-long gun battle.
The identities of the deceased and their involvement in Maoist violence are being ascertained, a senior police officer said.The deceased are suspected to have belonged to the Bansadhara-Ghumusara-Nagabali (BGN) division of the proscribed CPI-Maoist, the officer said. "An SLR with magazine, an Insas rifle with magazine, country-made weapons were found at the spot," the officer said.
The exchange of gunfire was triggered by a raid in Sirla forest by the district voluntary force and the special operation group of Odisha Police. The raid, which was conducted on the basis of a tip-off about the presence of rebels in the area, was led by SP (Kandhamal) Prateek Singh. Sources said there were around 30-35 rebels in the camp.
"A group of Maoists started firing at the security forces. The forces retaliated in self-defence. There were four casualties on the Maoists' side. We believe some were also injured. Combing operations are on in the area," said DGP Abhay, who visited Phulbani along with IG (operation) Amitabh Thakur, IG of police Praveen Kumar and DIG (southern range) Satyabrata Bhoi.
"We appeal to the Maoists to surrender and join the mainstream. The Odisha government has a very generous surrender and rehabilitation policy for them," the DGP said.
Chief secretary Asit Tripathy congratulated police for the operation.