Four Maoists have been killed in almost an hour-long encounter in Odisha's Bhandarangi Sirki forest area. An SOG jawan was injured in the operation, Kalahandi SP Battula Gangadhar told India Today TV.

Acting on the basis of reliable intelligence input, an operation was launched on September 8 in Kalahandi along Kandhamal border by Kalahandi police. In this operation, two composite teams of SOG and DVF had participated.

"An exchange of fire took place around 11.00 am on September 9. One team of SOG, DVF, when subjected to heavy firing from the Maoists, resorted to retaliatory fire. This exchange of fire lasted for half an hour," informed Odisha Police in a press release.

While the injured jawan has been evacuated by police forces, more teams of SOG, DVF and CRPF have been sent to the area for combing and search operations.