Major anti-Maoist combing operation launched in Odisha ahead of deadline

Joint teams of security forces have intensified anti-Maoist operations in the forested border areas of Kandhamal and Kalahandi districts, launching a major combing operation in the region. During the operation on Thursday, forces unearthed a Maoist camp and seized a huge cache of arms and materials believed to belong to the banned outfit.

Also Read: Who is Ganesh Uike, the core Maoist leader neutralised by security forces in Odisha?

According to sources, as many as 13 firearms were recovered along with several walkie-talkie sets, solar panels, electric wires, medicines and other Maoist-related supplies. The seizure points to the presence of an active Maoist base in the dense forest area.

The operation was initiated following intelligence inputs suggesting that several hardcore Maoists were hiding in the border forests. Acting on the inputs, Odisha Police along with central armed forces including the CRPF and BSF launched a joint combing operation.

The security operation is currently continuing in Gangel forest area along the Kandhamal–Kalahandi border. Officials said the search operation has been intensified as part of a broader strategy to eliminate Maoist presence, especially as deadline to make the country Maoist-free draws closer.

Security forces remain on high alert, and further recoveries or encounters have not been ruled out as the operation progresses.

However, no comments were received from the police in this regard.

Worth mentioning, earlier in another incident and in a major counter-insurgency operation, security forces had killed senior Maoist leader Ganesh Uike along with three other armed cadres during a massive exchange of fire in Kandhamal district, police sources had said on December 26 last year.

Ganesh Uike, a Central Committee member of the outlawed CPI (Maoist), was among the most wanted insurgent commanders operating in the region and he had been carrying a cumulative bounty of Rs 1.10 crore on his head.