Two female cadres among four Maoists killed in gunfight with security forces in Odisha

Phulbani: As many as four Maoists including two female cadres were gunned down during an exchange of fire between the ultras and security forces in Sirla reserve forest area of Sirla panchayat under Tumudibandha police limits of Kandhamal district early this morning.

The deceased Maoists have been identified as cadres of BGN Division of the Maoist organisation.

After getting a reliable information about the presence of armed Maoists in Tumudibandh PS area, a search operation was launched near Sirla reserve forest area yesterday. In this operation SOG and DVF Kandhamal team participated.

While the search operation was on the security personnel spotted a large group of Maoist camping in the jungle area. The police party tried to approach towards the ultras but suddenly heavy fire came from the side of Maoists.

A police official said the security personnel gave their identity and asked the Maoists to surrender but they paid no heed. They were continuously firing from sophisticated automatic weapons and also lobbing grenades. Because of this firing some police personnel got injured.

When the police party fired in self-defence, the Maoists fired for some more time and then escaped taking cover of dense jungle. When the exchange of fire stopped and the police party searched the area and found dead body of the four armed Maoists. Their identity is being verified, the police official added.

The security personnel recovered six sophisticated weapons along with IED during the search. Huge cache of ammunition and explosives were also seized by the police party from the spot.

It is expected that there were around 35-40 armed Maoists in the jungle who were having sophisticated weapons and heavy explosives.

The combing operation has been intensified in the area and search is continuing to trace other Maoists.