Malkangiri: Border Security Force (BSF) jawans Friday gunned down an armed Maoist during an exchange of fire inside a forest in this district, police said.
The incident took place at Luchapani Bandhaguda reserve forest under Paparmetla police limits in Chitrakonda block, in the early hours, according to director general of police (DGP), RP Sharma,
“An exchange of fire took place today early morning between BSF and CPI Maoist cadres in the cut-off area of Malkangiri in which one Maoist was killed and one SLR recovered,” the DGP tweeted Friday.
The security personnel recovered the rebel’s body during a combing operation this morning, a police officer said.
On the basis of a tip-off that a group of Maoists were present in the area, a joint team of the police and the BSF launched a combing operation, Thursday night, Malkangiri superintendent of police (SP) Jagmohan Meena said.
The security personnel retaliated when the ultras opened fire, he said, adding, the exchange of fire continued for some time.
A massive search operation has been launched in the area to track the fleeing ultras and ascertain whether there were more casualties, the SP said.
An SLR gun and 54 bullets including two magazines were seized from the spot. Besides, a bomb from a nearby area was also seized and diffused, the police said.
The ultra’s body is being brought to the BSF camp and it would be sent to Malkangiri later, they added.
While the deceased is yet to be identified, preliminary information suggests him to a member Andhra-Orissa border military platoon, Meena said. PNN
