Maoists, security forces exchange fire in Sunabeda Sanctuary; search operation underway

An exchange of fire was reported between Maoists and security forces inside the dense forests of Sunabeda Sanctuary near Barkote Ghat in Odisha’s Nuapada district. The incident took place early on Friday, reports said.

The exchange of fire occurred while the personnel of the Special Operation Group (SOG) were carrying out a combing operation in the area.

Acting on reliable intelligence input about the presence of armed cadres of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) in the Sunabeda Sanctuary, a search and area domination operation was launched by jawans of SOG and Nuapada District Voluntary Force (DFV). 

Sensing the movements of the SOG Jawans, the ultras opened fire at them near Barkote Ghat. In retaliation, the security forces also opened fire, leading to a brief exchange of fire in the area. However, the Maoists managed to escape into the dense forest. The combing operation continued in the area till the filing of the last report. 

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In another incident, the SOG jawans have unearthed a hideout used by Maoists in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada district, bordering Malkangiri district. The ultras had planted a 10 kg landmine in the hideout.

After getting information from reliable sources, CRPF jawans reached the spot and diffused the landmine.