One More Maoist gunned down in Malkangiri; arms seized

 Malkangiri: A joint team of Special Operation Group (SOG) and Greyhounds today gunned down a Maoist during a combing operation launched in the cut off areas of Malkangiri. As per latest sources, the body of the rebel has been brought to Malkangiri in a helicopter.

The attack was launched following an intelligence input that rebels from both Odisha and Andhra Pradesh had gathered to plan an attack on police.

The meeting was also aimed to design strategies to strengthen the Maoist movement and bring in more youth under the outfit.

An SLR and a 303 rifle have been recovered from the spot, confirmed ADG Operations, R P Koche. Although the deceased Maoist has not been identified yet, weapons seized from his possession suggest that he must have been a senior cadre, informed sources.Meanwhile, the gun battle is on to cleanse out more rebels from the area.

Giving out the details in a presser later in the day, DGP RP Sharma informed that the initial investigations indicate that the deceased rebel was an area committee member.

“The Chief Minister has announced a reward of Rs 10 lakh each for SP Bolangir and SP Kandhamal for having successfully launched the anti-Maoist operations in their respective districts,” informed Sharma.