Bhubaneswar: Two Maoists were killed in an encounter with security forces in a forest along the Ganjam–Kandhamal border in Odisha on Sunday.
The exchange of fire took place in the Karada forest area under the jurisdiction of Raikia police station in Kandhamal district, along the inter-district boundary with Ganjam district.
The deceased have been identified as Jagesh, an area committee member, and Rashmi, a party member of the Communist Party of India (Maoist).
According to reports, the duo carried a combined bounty of Rs 27.50 lakh. The two belonged to the Kalahandi–Kandhamal–Boudh–Nayagarh (KKBN) division and were allegedly involved in several violent incidents in the region. Security personnel recovered weapons and other incriminating materials from the encounter site. No injuries to police personnel were reported.
The operation was launched following a tip-off about Maoist movement in the area. Security forces had been conducting combing operations for the past two days when a group of around nine to ten Maoists allegedly opened fire. Officials stated that two to three members of the group fired at the forces, prompting retaliatory action that led to the deaths of the two cadres.
