Odisha: Three Maoists killed in Malkangiri

KORAPUT: At least three Maoists, including two women, were killed in an encounter with security personnel in Malkangiri district, in the early hours of Tuesday.
Police said based on intelligence inputs regarding the presence of a group of Maoists near Tulsi hill area, bordering Chhattisgarh, an operation was launched by a joint team of the district voluntary force (DVF) and special operation group (SOG).
“We had specific information about the movement of a group of armed Maoists in the Tulsi hill area. Spotting our men, the Maoists fired, to which our men retaliated with controlled firing,” said DGP Abhay.
“Unable to face heavy firing from our side, the Maoists fled. Later, during the search operation, we recovered three bodies. Their identification is yet to be ascertained,” he added.
The security personnel have recovered two INSAS and one SLR and several rounds of live ammunition from the site. There was no casualty among the security personnel.
“We suspect the Maoists belong to the Andhra-Odisha border special zonal committee.The search and combing operation is still on. Once our men return, further details will be known,” said a senior police officer engaged in anti-Maoist operations in Malkangiri. Meanwhile, the DGP is expected to reach Malkangiri on Wednesday to take stock of the situation and to assess the ongoing anti-Maoist operation in the region.