2 SOG jawans martyred in exchange of fire with Maoists in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: As many as two SOG jawans died in an exchange of fire between security forces and Maoists in a forest near Sirki village on Kalahandi-Kandhamal border on September 9, police sources said today.

The martyrs have been identified as Sudhir Kumar Tudu (28) of Mayurbhanj district and Debasis Sethy (27) of Angul district.

At least five Maoists had died in the gunbattle. Initially, four bodies of Maoists were recovered from the spot. During the combing operation following the encounter, the security personnel recovered another body of a Maoist.

On the basis of reliable intelligence input, an operation was launched on Kalahandi-Kandhamal border on September 8. Two composite teams of SOG and DVF had participated in this operation Following heavy firing from the ultras, a team of SOG and DVF resorted to retaliatory fire, said an official statement issued by Odisha Police.