Hardcore Maoist gunned down in Malkangiri

A joint team of the Special Operations Group (SOG) of Odisha police and Greyhounds of Andhra Pradesh on Friday eliminated a hardcore Maoist during a combing operation in the cutoff area of Malkangiri district.

The operation was conducted following intelligence input that Red rebels from Odisha and Andhra Pradesh were holding a parley to launch an assault on the security forces.

The meeting of the rebels was also aimed to devise strategies to strengthen the Maoist movement and lure more youths into their ranks.

A Self Loading Rifle, a 303 rifle and some kit bags were recovered from the spot. The deceased Maoist was yet to be identified, said ADG Operations RP Koche

Meanwhile, the combing operations are on to trace the fleeing ultras and boat services to the cutoff region have been stopped.

Later in the day, DGP RP Sharma in a Press conference informed that the initial investigations indicate that the deceased rebel was an area committee member.

Meanwhile, the State Government on Friday announced a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for the Balangir and Kandhamal police for their success in anti-Maoists operations in which seven ultras were killed earlier this week.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik announced the cash reward soon after concerned Superintendents of Police of both the districts and headquarters’ officers briefed the former about the recent anti-Maoist operations, informed the DGP.

“Apart from the existing financial assistance, the Chief Minister has announced additional cash reward of Rs 10 lakh for Kandhamal and Balangir police. This will certainly boost the morale of security forces as well as police engaged in anti-Maoist operations in different parts of the State,” said Sharma.