DEOGARH: Maoists opened fire on the jawans of Special Operation Group (SOG) when the latter confronted them during a combing operation in Khuntadihi forest near Uttal-Marha village under Barkote police limits on Thursday.
The SOG jawans, with support from district police and CRPF who were also combing in the forest, retaliated but the extremists managed to escape.
Speaking to mediapersons on Friday, DIG (North Central Range) Rajesh Kumar said 22 electric detonators, two country made bombs, one exploder dynamo and several other items were seized from the Maoist camp. However, no casualty was reported from either side, Kumar said adding combing is on.
At least 15 Maoists including female cadres were residing in the camp and trying to regroup their activity in the district when the security forces conducted the raid.
Deogarh SP Sara Sharma said the Maoist group was being led by chief of Kalinga Nagar Divisional Committee and secretary of Central Committee Sushil. Sushil is wanted both in Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. He also carries a cash reward of `20 lakh on his head.