24 Maoists killed, cop dead in joint police operation

Andhra Pradesh commandos and Odisha cops killed at least 24 Maoists, including seven women guerillas, in a fierce encounter inside a forest along the inter-state border on Monday. An Andhra Police commando died in the gun battle.

Odisha police chief KB Singh said the bodies of all 24 rebels had been recovered from the encounter site in Odisha’s Malkangiri district. “Maoist leader Gajrala Ravi alias Udai was killed. He was carrying a reward of Rs 2 lakh on his head. A search operation is on,” he said.

The slain commando was identified as Mahammed Abu Bakar of the elite anti-Maoist Greyhounds team.

Malkangiri superintendent of police Mitrabhanu Mohapatra said after information that top Maoist leader Ramakrishna was holding a meeting in Bejing forest, an AP-Odisha joint team raided the area early on Monday. “We had information that 40-50 rebels were holding a meeting. This a great success for the two forces,” he said.

Visakhapatnam superintendent of police (rural) Rahul Dev Sharma said that as the joint team advanced towards the site, the Maoists opened fire on them. “The security personnel immediately retaliated. This resulted in a fierce exchange of fire,” said Mr Sharma.

The joint team seized 20 firearms, one laptop, Rs 2.16 lakh and a huge cache of cartridges from the spot.