Bhubaneswar,25 October (H.S.) In a significant breakthrough in Odisha’s anti-Naxal operations, one Maoist cadre was killed today in an encounter with the Special Operations Group (SOG) teams in Kandhamal district. The operation, launched on October 23 following intelligence inputs, targeted Maoist presence in the Budanai Reserve Forest under the jurisdiction of Baliguda Police Station.
According to the Odisha Police press release, the exchange of fire occurred on the morning of October 25 around 9 a.m., during which a senior Maoist cadre was neutralized. The deceased, found in uniform, is reportedly a senior member of the CPI (Maoist) group operating within the Kandhamal-Kalahandi-Boudh-Nayagarh (KKBN) division. Alongside the body, an AK-47 rifle was recovered, indicating the presence of high-ranking operatives in the area.
Further search operations are ongoing to ensure the complete security of the region. This encounter brings the total number of Maoists neutralized in Odisha in 2024 to five, underscoring the effectiveness of the coordinated operations against left-wing extremism.
Director General of Police (DGP) of Odisha Y.B Khurania congratulated the Kandhamal Police, Intelligence Directorate, and Operational Headquarters for their concerted efforts, calling the operation a major success in securing peace in the region. Further updates on the seizure and ongoing operations are expected.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
