Maoists, security forces exchange gunfire, 2 rebels killed

Malkangiri: The security forces today shot two Maoists dead in a gun battle today at Panasput forest in the district even as the search operation in October 24 encounter in which 28 rebels including some top cadres were killed entered fourth day.

The security personnel also seized two SLRs from the spot and intensified combing operation. The Maoist death toll due to police action since the October 24 encounter reached 30.

Notably, 28 ultras were gunned down on October 24 in one of the biggest encounters with the outlawed extremist outfit carried out by the joint forces of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha in the same forest of the district. Sophisticated arms like AK-47 were seized from their possession.

The Maoist organisation which is active in the dense forest of Malkangiri, Koraput, Kalahandi bordering Andhra received severe jolt after the gun battle some top leaders were killed.

The outfit termed the encounter as cold blood murder and issued life threat to Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday. In a press release, the Maoist State committee of Andhra threatened to kill Naidu and his son.