An encounter between security forces and Maoist ultras took place in Nalikumpa jungle bordering Boudh and Kandhamal districts in Odisha.
While a Maoist camp was destroyed by the police after the gunfight, the security forces also seized a huge cache of arms and explosives including land mines from the camp.
As per reports, the encounter broke out during a combing operation by the security personnel in the jungle when they spotted the Maoists and their camp. The ultras fired shots at the police following which the security forces retaliated.
The exchange of fire lasted for around one hour forcing more than 30 Maoists to flee from the spot.
Recently, the Special Operations Group (SOG) and District Voluntary Force (DVF) in a joint combing operation busted a Maoist camp in the Budhakhol forest of the Boudh district on January 18.
On December 29, 2023, the jawans of Border Security Force (BSF) unearthed a huge cache of Maoist materials including gun-manufacturing equipment from Kalimela in Malkangiri district.
Similarly, during a combing operation on December 25, they stumbled upon several Maoist articles, which were buried underground at Kurmanur forest spreading into the neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.