Kandhamal: Naxals, cops exchange fire

Phulbani: An exchange of fire took place on Thursday morning between Maoists and Special Operations Group (SOG) personnel near Lankagarh village under Belaghar police limits in Odisha’s Kandhamal district.

According to reports, there were 20-25 Maoists present at a camp near Lankagarh where the security forces conducted raid. The gun-battle continued for around one and a half hour, sources said.

The SOG jawans seized huge cash of explosives, arms and ammunition and old currency notes from the Maoist camp.

Speaking to reports, inspector general of police, Southern Range, Amitabh Thakur, said, “Acting on tipoff about a Maoist camp at Lankagarh panchayat, SOG jawans conducted an operation in the area. Seeing the security personnel, around 20-25 Maoists, who were present there, started firing at them. In retaliation, SOG personnel also fired at them. The gun battle continued for around one and half hours.”

“We have intensified the search operation in the area as the Maoists have fled the spot following the fire exchange. Besides, we are in contact with neighbouring districts,” Mr Thakur added.

During the search operation, the SOG personnel seized some arms and ammunitions, explosives, some Maoist articles and old currency notes from the spot, the IGP informed. Meanwhile, some Maoist posters, asking people to observe Martyr’s Week from December 8 to 16, were found from Pallimala and Tanla square under Belapada block in Bolangir district. According to reports, the posters were placed by the members of Bolangir-Bargarh Mahasamunda division protesting various developmental policies of the Central government.