Security Forces Exchange Fire With Maoists In Swabhiman Anchal; Explosives Seized

Malkangiri: A huge cache of arms and ammunition were seized after an exchange of fire that took place between security forces and Maoists in Bhimaram Reserve forest of Swabhiman Anchal in Malkangiri district.

According to sources, an anti-Naxal operation was launched by the SOG and DVF teams of Odisha Police and BSF teams of Andhra Pradesh Police on Tuesday.

When the operational parties were combing the jungle area near Gunamamudi village on Odisha-Andhra Pradesh border, suddenly unprovoked firing came upon them from the Maoists side.

In order to save their lives, the security forces retaliated and started controlled firing over Maoists. However, the Maoists managed escape that area taking benefit of jungle and hilly terrain.

After exchange of fire, the area was thoroughly searched and huge quantity of arms, ammunition and Maoist articles including one IED, 11 7.62 mm SLR live rounds, four 7.62 mm AK rounds, one 5.56 mm INSAS rounds, one SLR magazine, 32 numbers of detonators, one camera flash, radio, 11 number of kit bags, three pairs of Maoist uniforms, Maoist literatures, utensils, medicines, daily used articles and cloths were seized.

Speaking about the operation, Malkangiri SP said, "It is a huge success for police. The combing operations will continue in the area in coming days."

(Edited by Ramakant Biswas)