At least three Maoists were killed in an encounter with police personnel in Odisha’s Kalahandi district. According to preliminary reports on Tuesday, a fierce encounter reportedly broke out between police officials and militants, in Taprenga-Ludengad forest under M. Rampur police limits.
“At least three Maoists were killed in an encounter with police personnel in Kalahandi district. The encounter took place in Taprenga-Lubengad forest under Madanpur-Rampur police limits. A police officer was also seriously injured during the encounter and was named Bhima Bhoi. Hospital in Bolangir. An AK 47 rifle has also been recovered from the spot,” Abhilash ji, Kalahandi SP was quoted as saying by ANI.
There was trading of fire at very early time during the search operation. According to sources, a Deputy Superintendent of Police has also suffered serious injuries in the fight. The DSP has been admitted to Bhima Bhoi Hospital in Bolangir.
A search operation was launched in the area in anticipation of the Maoist campaign, which went on for a week as part of their plan to regroup in the area.
In the light of the recent Naxal attack in Chhattisgarh, in which 10 District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel and a civilian driver were killed on April 26, the anti-Maoist campaign has assumed significance.
After the Chhattisgarh Naxal attack, senior members of the Odisha Police had issued an alert in the border areas of the state. According to ADG (Operations) Amitabh Thakur, an alert was issued on May 2 in Bargarh and Kalahandi districts.
Before the Chhattisgarh Naxal attack, three districts- Nabarangpur, Malkangiri and Nuapada were put on high alert.
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