SAMBALPUR: Security personnel seized several Maoist articles during a two-day joint combing operation in Udul under Handapa police limits on Angul and Sambalpur border.
Addressing mediapersons here on Wednesday, Sambalpur SP Akhileswar Singh said local police and Sambalpur unit of CRPF and DVF were conducting a joint combing operation in the areas on Angul-Sambalpur border following information about movement of about 20 Maoists at Badbil under Rairakhol police limits on February 14 night.
The next evening, security personnel spotted some Maoists near Udul in Angul district and asked them to surrender. Instead, the Maoists opened fire and security forces retaliated. The gun battle lasted for about 30 minutes before Maoists escaped into the forest under the cover of darkness. The SP said, 126 rounds of bullets were fired by police and no casualties were reported from either side.
Soon after the gun battle stopped, security personnel began a search operation in the area and seized an axe, knives, computer keyboard, Maoist literature, four SLR empty cases, medicines, ear phone, torch, cooking utensils and solar panel from the spot. The SP also revealed that a member of Central Committee Mishir Besra, who carries a cash award of `25 lakh on his head, was believed to be present in the group. Singh hinted that the group was heading towards Kandhamal.