Maoists, jawans exchange fire in Odisha’s Kandhamal

Phulbani: An exchange of fire took place between Maoists and security forces in Odisha’s Kandhamal district on April 5, police sources said today.

No casualties have been reported in the incident.

As per reports, acting on a reliable input, a joint team of SOG and DVF had launched a combing operation near village Kolampara under Gochhada police limits in the district. On April 5 morning, the Maoists opened fire at the jawans while the operation was underway.

The security forces immediately took cover and asked the Maoists to surrender. The jawans later fired in a controlled manner in self-defense.

Taking the advantage of dense forest, the extremists managed to escape. Further search operation in the area was underway.

The incident comes close on the heels of death of 22 security personnel in an exchange of fire with Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district.