Post News Network
Bantala, Dec 13: Security forces Sunday had a heavy exchange of fire with Maoists in areas under Purunakote police limits in Satkosia sanctuary of Angul district and destroyed a camp besides seizing a huge cache of arms during a joint combing operation.
During the operation, a 33-year-old man of Jukubu village was picked up by the police from his home on the charge of acting as a Maoist informer. Police claimed that the man had spend some days in the Maoist camp
Unnerved by the attack, the ultras abandoned their camp and fled the scene leaving behind a huge stockpile of arms and other utilities. Later, the security forces raided the camp and seized the arms and articles.
However, no casualty was reported from either side during the operation. The runaway ultras were assumed to be members of the Sambalpur-Deogarh-Sundargarh division of Maoists. It is suspected that they might have sneaked into Satkosia sanctuary due to the ongoing anti-insurgency operations in their respective areas.
The raid took place after security forces were alerted about the presence of ultras in Satkosia and their hobnobbing with the villagers inside the sanctuary seeking their assistance. Accordingly, security forces launched a combing operation a few days back following which the Maoist activities slowed down.
However, two to three days back they were again learnt to be regrouping themselves and conducting meetings with villagers soliciting their assistance while assaulting forest department officials.
A joint team of Angul police and special operation group (SOG) jawans launched the operation in the sanctuary late Saturday night. The jawasn conducted a search operation in the area and took control of Purunakote jungle.
They were heading forward when ultras started firing at them in Kuanali jungle in between Kulangi and Chhutkei villages. At first, the security forces asked the ultras to surrender but the latter refused to do so. This led to retaliatory firing from the jawans and the situation soon escalated into a gun battle that went on till Sunday morning.
Superintendent of police Rajesh Pandit and SOG assistant commandant Ajay Sekhar refused to divulge details as the operation was on till this report was filed. PNN
