Malkangiri: A Maoist was gunned down in a joint operation by the SOG, DVF and Greyhounds near Panashapadar village under Chitrakonda block in this district, police said Friday, adding his identity was yet to be ascertained.
The combing team busted the Maoist camp and seized two rifles from the camp near Balimela reservoir. ADG (Operations) RP Koche said the security forces acted on a tip-off about the presence of Maoists. The SOG and DVF of Odisha and the Greyhounds of Andhra Pradesh teamed up to do the combing operation in the cut-off areas of the district Thursday .
Sensing danger, the extremists opened fire at the security forces. In retaliation, the security personnel also opened fire, resulting in the death of a Maoist. The other Maoists in the group managed escape after blasting landmines. While the police have not disclosed the identity of the liquidated Maoist, the combing operation was continuing. Several Maoists appeared to have suffered injuries in the exchange of fire.
The raid comes after public appeals from DGP RP Sharma and CM Naveen Patnaik to the ultras to shun violence and join the social mainstream. Seven Maoists had been gunned down in separate encounters in Kandhamal and Balangir districts in the recent past.
