A day after the Maoists’ ambush claimed lives of four BSF jawans, combing has been intensified on border areas of both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. There have been intelligence reports of Maoists sneaking into the forests following a fierce encounter with the security forces lasting more than three hours.
Five persons from Pottangi have been detained for questioning. The Maoists on Tuesday blasted a landmine planted under a culvert which blew up the BSF vehicle. Sources said over 100 Maoists belonging to Koraput-Srikakulam dalam from different parts of Narayanpatna, Bandhugan, Ichapuram, Salur and Pottangi were involved in the incident at Sunki Valley.
Police are also interrogating villagers of the area to get clues on the Maoists’ attack. Koraput DIG S D Singh and SP Aswini Kumar, who are monitoring the combing operation, hoped that they would get a major breakthrough soon. “Combing is on in full swing and it would continue till we get a lead,” the DIG said.