Security forces are contemplating air strike on Darbha Ghat in Chhattisgarh to dismantle the Maoists camps bordering Ramgiri forest in Koraput district.
Over 500 Maoist cadres including two top leaders are suspected to be hiding in the camps after the attack on Congress leaders on last Saturday.
Sources said for the past two days, over 2,000 security personnel have been on a massive manhunt on both sides of Odisha-Chhattisgarh border to trace and eliminate the militants.
Though the security personnel have launched combing operation after getting intelligence inputs from agencies of both the State, they are facing hardship in making swift movement in jungles where the Maoists are suspected to be camping due to rain.
Besides, since the Maoists camps are atop hills, they are in advantageous position. Hence, the security forces are moving cautiously.
Meanwhile, about two choppers have been engaged for transportation of security personnel but air drop or strike against the Maoists has not started.
What worries the security forces is that the delay in reaching the camps would give the Maoists the time to sneak into their hide-outs. They have asked for more choppers and order of air dropping and striking on camps in the areas.
“Air strike is necessary in this circumstance,” said a senior officer engaged in anti-Maoist movement in bordering areas of Koraput. Senior police officials at Jagadalpur held several rounds of meetings to review the the progress of the combing operation on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Odisha police have geared up movements in bordering villages in Malkangiri, Mathili, Boipariguda, Kundra and
Kotpad blocks after getting information about involvement of Maoists under Malkangiri-Koraput border division in the Darbha Ghat attack.