Exchange of fire between Maoists, security forces in Kalahandi; ultras used LMG

A Maoist camp was busted during a joint operation by a team of security forces comprising Kalahandi police, SOG and DVF jawans at Labanagada forest on Thursday.

As per initial reports, the ultras fired upon security forces using LMG and other automatic weapons. The joint operation was launched by the security forces after getting reliable information regarding the presence of the CPI (Maoist) cadres in the region.

Senior police officials said that presence of senior cadres like Nikhil, Bunty, Dasru, Mamata and other cadres in the area (around 30 cadres) is suspected. More teams of SOG have been pressed into operations to flush out the Maoists.

Following the firing by the Maoists, the security forces retaliated and fired from UBGL and AK-47.

Due to heavy counter fire by police, the Maoists retracted from their camp, an official release read. Meanwhile, a Maoist camp was subsequently busted and two IEDs, one booby trap, detonators, Maoist literatures, of umbrellas, solar plate, Maoist banners, torch light, charger, bag , electric wire, medicinesand other camp articles have been recovered.

On June 21, three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were martyred in a Maoist ambush at Patadhara reserve forest in Nuapada district.

As per reports, the security personnel were in a transit from one camp to another around 3 pm when the armed ultras opened fire at them leaving three jawans martyred and several others injured.