BHAWANIPATNA: A female Maoist cadre was shot dead during an encounter with the Odisha police in Kalahandi district today, the police said.
During a combing operation jointly conducted by the personnel of Special Operation Group (SOG) and District Voluntary Force (DVF), the security personnel confronted the Maoist operative and engaged in the fire exchange. SP Kalahandi Brijesh Rai today told reporters that based on prior information about movement of Maoist cadres in Kanamanjur Reserve Forest area, a combing operation was initiated.
"Around 4 PM near Supel along the banks of Sagada River, there was an exchange of fire, and it continued for about 25 minutes," he said adding the forest area was under Bhawanipatna Block. The Maoists escaped the spot leaving behind the body of a female cadre.
"The dead female cadre is yet to be identified. It is suspected that this ultra group belonged to the Bansadhara Ghumsar Nagavali division where Nikhil is the divisional commander," the SP said.
A .303 Rifle with magazine and ammunition, two detonators with flexible wire, transistor, knife, solar plates, battery chargers, Maoist literature and household articles were recovered from the spot by the police, the SP said. During the exchange of fire nine SOG and DVF personnel received minor injuries, he added.