PHULBANI / BERHAMPUR: A top Maoist cadre Dasru alias Dudu Mundari was reportedly killed in an exchange of fire with security forces at Kamberikia forest area under Baliguda police limits on Saturday. Dasru was the chief of Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh Nayagarh (KKBN) division of CPI (Maoist).
A jawan of the district voluntary force (DVF) Jitendra Nayak was also injured in the firing. He suffered a bullet injury in his left hand. He was rushed to Phulbani district headquarter hospital and then shifted to MKCG medical college and hospital for treatment. He is stated to be stable.
According to Kandhamal SP Suvendu Kumar Patra, on receiving intelligence input about the presence of Maoists in the Kamberikia forests, the DVF on Saturday conducted a combing operation in Odabali, Sikati, Larabura, Banjipara and Kakerkupa areas at around 7.40 pm. As they reached the area, the Maoists started heavy firing besides launching IEDs on the police team.
In defence, the police too started counter fire. Taking advantage of the dense forests and difficult terrain, the Maoists escaped from the area but the body of Dasru was located during search operation. A rifle and incriminating materials were seized from the spot. Gelatin sticks, IED wires of 20 mtr length, electric wire 30 mtr, Maoist literature, solar plates, medicines and other articles were also recovered from the forests, the SP said.
The IG (Southern Range) Jay Narayan Pankaj who was present in the district headquarters to monitor the situation informed that Dasru had taken over as district commander of KKBN after the killing of David in an operation in 2018. He was on the most wanted list of Chhattisgarh Police as well as Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. He was very active in Kandhamal region, said the IG.
Dasru belonged to Chhattisgarh and carried a reward of Rs 5 lakh. He was involved in 20 criminal cases in the Kandhamal district and one in Boudh district. He was also involved in cases during the 2019 elections, Pankaj said.