Maoist cadre killed in encounter in Malkangiri

Malkangiri: A Maoist cadre was killed in an encounter with security forces in a forest here early on Sunday after which two guns and some Naxal materials were seized, the police said.

Acting on intelligence inputs about presence of Maoists, security personnel including BSF jawans conducted an operation inside Chittipali forest in Chintrakonda area in Malkangiri district near Andhra Pradesh border, Malkangiri Superintendent of Police Akhileswar Singh said.

As the security personnel approached the naxal hide-out, the ultras opened fire which was retaliated by the raiding team leading to a fierce exchange of fire for about an hour, he said.

One Maoist was killed in the gunbattle while the rest of his companions fled from the site, he said.

Police seized two country-made guns, maoist uniforms and other materials from the site. Search operation was going on in the area as part of efforts to track the fleeing red rebels, police said.