Kandhamal: The State DGP KB Singh and Southern Range IG Amitabh Thakur visited the spot where, in a Maoists' ambush last night, a Special Operations Group (SOG) jawan was killed while several others were critically injured. The State government has said it will give a fitting reply to the Maoists for the attack. The sacrifice of the martyred jawan will not go in vain said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik through a tweet.
At least one SOG jawan died while ten others were reportedly injured in the Maoists' ambush in a forest near Khamankhol under Baliguda sub-division in Kandhamal district late on Sunday night. The DGP and IG, Southern Range reached the spot via Phulbani today.
Home Additional Chief Secretary Asit Tripathy said that operations are on in Kandhamal and Kalahandi and that the state government will give a fitting reply to the Maoists for this attack.
While the Odisha Havildar and Sepoy Mahasangh demanded Rs 1 crore ex gratia for the family of the martyred SOG jawan and a job to his kin in 15 days, Tripathy said the compensation will be given as per amended package. The compensation package of 2008 was amended in January under which compensation for martyrs of inspector rank will be Rs 20 lakh, Rs 16 lakh for Group B officer, Rs 10 lakh for Group C and D, Rs 8 lakh for critically inured and the injured will get Rs 6 lakh. The martyr's family will get his salary and his son or daughter will be given a government job.
Earlier, the attack took place when the jawans were suddenly attacked by the extremists while returning from combing operations. An exchange of fire took place during which the SOG jawans sustained injuries, Kandhamal SP Pinak Mishra told media persons. Search operations are on, added the SP.
According to reports, 3 injured have been admitted to Baliguda hospital, while other critically injured have been shifted to MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur.
The martyred jawan has been identified as Laxmikant Jani of Kalahandi and among the critically injured are H.N Tamang, S.Orange and Driver Niranjan Behera. Search operations have been intensified in the area.
"Our jawans fought well. The incident occurred when they were returning after a combing operation," said Police DG KB Singh.