Maoist camp destroyed in Kandhamal

Kandhamal: An exchange of fire took place between the Maoists and police personnel during a combing operation in the Kukulajhar forests near Khajuripada of Kandhamal district on Tuesday. However, no casualty has been reported in the incident.

According to reports, the exchange of fire took place inside the jungle when police, acting on a tip-off raided a naxal camp during a combing operation. Sources said taking advantage of the dense forest, the ultras managed to escape.

Meanwhile, police suspect that the cadre of Maoists belongs to the KKBN division. Huge stash of Maoist items have also been seized while police have intensified search operation in the region to trace the movement of the ultras, sources said.

“We received information about the presence of around 12 to 15 Maoists. Police forces were deployed for search operation in the Kukulajhar forests. When the Maoists saw the police, they started firing and an exchange of fire took place," said Kandhamal SP Pratik Singh.

He added, "No casualty has been confirmed till now. Many Maoist items were seized from the camp and later the camp was totally destroyed. We think the Maoists belong to the KKBN division while one Badal Dalam is also suspected to be in the group. Search operations are still underway to track the movement of the Maoists. All of them managed to escape.”