In a fresh set back to the Maoists in Odisha, a self-styled top commander Duburu Kanta and five of his associates surrendered before the BSF in Koraput district.
Kanta, who along with his associates surrendered without arms on Thursday, they said.
Kanta was active in the Maoist-backed Chasi Mulia Adivasi Sangh (CMAS) and involved in extremist activities for the last 12 years, BSF officials said.
The commander later helped a BSF team to retrieve a 12 bore Single Barrel Breach of Loaded (SBBL) gun along with two grenades, they said.
Kanta was the commander of "Ghenua Bahini" and figured in the most wanted list for his involvement in various Maoist activities.
The five cadres who surrendered along with Kanta have been identified as Jiana Meleka, Ganga Meleka, Kapilash Kando, Gurunath Khara and Surendra Khara.
A senior BSF official said the ultras decided to surrender and return to the mainstream as they were disillusioned with the activities of Maoists.
This was the second time in the last fortnight when Maoists surrendered before the BSF.