Phulbani: Two Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces during an anti-Naxal operation in the Puranajiaba Reserved Forest in Baliguda of Kandhamal district.

Acting on intelligence inputs, a joint team of the District Voluntary Force (DVF) and Special Operations Group (SOG) had been conducting a round-the-clock operation in the region over the past two days.

According to official sources, the Maoists opened fire upon spotting the security personnel, prompting retaliation. In the ensuing exchange of fire, two Maoists—reportedly from neighbouring Chhattisgarh—were eliminated on Monday.

The slain Maoists were identified as Manku and Chandan, who belong to the Kalahandi-Kandhamal-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division of the proscribed Communist Party of India-Maoist (CPI-Maoist) organisation. 

Manku works as an Area Committee Member (ACM) in KKBN of the CPI(Maoist), while Chandan is a member of the banned outfit. 

Security forces continued the combing operation in the area to ensure no further Maoist presence.

Y.B. Khurania, the Director General of Police of Odisha congratulated Kandhamal SP Harish B.C and the DVF team for the success. 

The Odisha Police, in a press statement on Monday, declared it a major success in its operation against the Maoists. 

Two dreaded CPI(Maoist) cadres, each carrying a reward of Rs 3 lakh on their heads, were arrested by the Malkangiri Police earlier on June 13. 

As per reports, as many as six Maoists were killed by the security forces while the cops arrested eight other ultras in 2024 in Odisha. 

Police sources revealed that 24 Maoists have surrendered in 2024. The Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a public programme in Telangana on Sunday, reiterated the government’s firm resolve to eradicate Maoism from the country by March 2026. 

He appealed to the Maoists to drop their guns and join the mainstream. (With agency inputs)